JOUTEL'S  JOURNAL  OF 
LA  SALLE'S   LAST  VOYAGE, 


Edition  limited  to  five  hundred  copies  printed  from  type 
of  which  this  is  No. 4^  r^ 

Lin?>  A?°**  ."'^n'^  re -•••(•) 


GUDEBROD'S  STATUE  OF  LA  SALLE 

AT  THE   LOUiSANA  PURCHASE   EXPOSITION,  ST.   LOUIS,  1904. 


Joutel's  Journal  of 

La  Sailers  Last  Voyage 

1684-7 


WITH  A  FRONTISPIECE  OF  GUDEBROD'S 
STATUE  OF  LA  SALLE  AND  THE  MAP  OF 
THE  ORIGINAL  FRENCH  EDITION,  PARIS 
1713,  IN  FACSIMILE .    .     . 


NEW  EDITION  WITH  HISTORICAL  AND 
BIOGRAPHICAL  INTRODUCTION,  ANNOTA- 
TIONS AND  INDEX  BY  HENRY  REED  STILES, 
A,M.,M.D 

TO  WHICH  IS  ADDED  A  BIBLIOGRAPHY 
OF  THE  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI 
BY  APPLETON  P.  C.  GRIFFIN,  OF  THE  LI- 
BRARY  OF  CONGRESS 


ALBANY,  N.  Y. 

JOSEPH  Mcdonough 
1906 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1906 

...By. JOSEPH  Mcg^WUGH, 
In  the  offictfpt.tiie  L^bV/,ri^4»*of  Cjfngress,  Washington. 


••   •  •  "• 
•  •  •  •  •    • 


•  •      •    •• 

•  •      •  •«• 

•  •••••    < 


TO  THE  MEMORY  OF 

JOHN  GILMARY  SHEA,  LL.  D., 

THE  INDEFATIGABLE  HISTORIAN 

OF     THE 

MISSIONS,   LITERATURE   AND  HISTORY 

OF    THE 

ROMAN  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  NORTH  AMERICA, 

AND    A 

MAN  OF  MODEST,  PIOUS  AND  BLAMELESS  LIFE 

THIS, 

THE  FINAL  VOLUME  OF  A  SERIES  PROJECTED 
BY  HIMSELF,  OVER  FORTY  YEARS  AGO, 

IS 

SINCERELY   DEDICATED 
SY 
THE  PUBLISHER  AND  EDITOR. 


PUBLISHER'S  NOTE. 


This  volume  is  the  concluding  one  of  a  series  projected  by  the 
late  John  Gilmary  Shea,  LL.  D.,  on  the  "  Discovery  and  Explora- 
tions of  the  Mississippi  Valley."  The  initial  volume,  issued  in  1852, 
comprises  the  Narratives  of  Marquette,  Allouez,  Membre,  Henne- 
pin and  Anastase  Douay.  The  second,  issued  in  1861,  contains  those 
of  Cavelier,  St.  Cosme,  Le  Seur,  Gravier  and  Guignas. 

The  present  volume,  giving  Joutel's  Journal  of  La  Salle's  third  and 
last  voyage,  is  reprinted  from  the  first  English  translation  of  17 14,  of 
the  original  French  edition  of  171 3. 

A  facsimile  reprint  of  the  above  English  edition  was  issued 
(privately)  by  the  Caxton  Club  of  Chicago,  in  1896,  in  an  edition 
of  203  copies,  and  enriched  by  textual  notes  by  Prof.  Melville  B. 
Anderson,  now  of  Menlo  Park,  California, —  the  result  of  his  care- 
ful collation  of  the  English  with  the  French  original.  These  notes, 
by  the  special  permission  of  Mr.  Anderson,  have  been  incorporated 
in  the  present  volume  and  indicated  by  his  initials. 

With  a  view,  also,  to  render  this  edition  as  compendious  a  source 
of  reference  as  possible  for  the  student  of  this  subject,  we  have 
added,  by  the  courtesy  of  the  author,  the  exceedingly  full  and  valua- 
ble "  Bibliography  of  the  Discovery  and  Explorations  in  the  Missis- 
sippi Valley,"  by  Mr.  Appleton  P.  C.  Griffin,  formerly  of  the 
Boston  Public  Library,  now  Chief  Bibliographer  of  the  Library  of 
Congress,  Washington,  D.  C. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Dedication v 

Publisher's  Note vi 

Historical  Introduction     --------i 

Biographical  Notice  of  Joutel       - 27 

Original  Title  Page  in  facsimile         ---...  31 

The  French  Bookseller  to  the  reader 33 

The  Preface  written  by  Sieur  de  Mitchell          -        -         -        -  47 

Joutel's  Journal  with  notes  and  annotations          .         .         -  53 
Remainder  of  Letter  by  he  who  revis'd   this   Journal,  being 

sequel  to  same 203 

Letters  Patent  granted  by  the  King  of  France  to  M.  Crozat  212 
Bibliography  of  "  The  Discovery  of  the  Mississippi,"  by  Apple- 
ton  P.  C.  Griffin 221 

Index 241 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Heliotype  reproduction  of  Gudebrod's  Statue  of  La  Salle  pro- 
duced for  the  Louisiana  Purchase  Exposition  at  Saint 
Louis,  1904 Frontispiece 

Reproduction  in  facsimile  of  Joutel's  Map  originally  published 

in  the  Paris  edition  ofi7i3  -  -  -  End  of  volume 


Historical  Introduction. 


La  Salle's  Two  Previous  Voyages. 

The  earliest  French  explorers  of  the  seventeenth  century, 
among  the  great  lakes  and  rivers  of  the  North  American 
continent, —  Champlain,  Nicolet,  Marquette,  Hennepin, 
Joliet  and  La  Salle  —  were  men  of  no  common  mould. 
Vv'hether  clerics,  imbued  with  the  enthusiasm  of  their  holy 
faith,  or  laymen,  dominated  by  the  love  of  adventure  and 
the  prospect  of  adding  to  the  wealth  and  glory  of  their 
beloved  PYance,  their  ideals  were  sublime,  their  labors 
prodigious,  their  sufferings  heroic,  their  perseverance 
indomitable.  They  possessed  "  the  courage  of  their  con- 
victions ;"  and  despite  the  difficulties,  dangers,  and  reverses 
which  befell  them,  their  successive  explorations  all  con- 
tributed to  the  result  finally  achieved  by  La  Salle, — 
the  discovery  of  the  "  Father  of  Waters  ''  —  the  Mississippi. 

"  Second  only  to  Champlain,  among  the  heroes  of 
Canadian  history,"  says  John  Fiske,^  "  stands  Robert 
Cavelier  de  la  Salle  —  a  man  of  iron,  if  ever  there  was 
one  —  a  man  austere  and  cold  in  manner,  and  endowed 
with  such  indomitable  pluck  and  perseverance  as  have 
never  been  surpassed  in  the  world.  He  did  more  than  any 
other  man  to  extend  the  dominion  of  France  in  the  New 
World.  As  Champlain  had  founded  the  colony  of  Canada, 
and  opened  the  way  to  the  great  lakes,  so  La  Salle  com- 
pleted the  discovery  of  the  Mississippi,  and  added  to  the 
French  possessions  the  vast  province  of  Louisiana." 

Rene  Robert  Cavelier,  better  known  as  La  Salle,  from 
the  name  of  the  family's  estate,  was  born,  in   1643,  at 

^ "  The  Romance  of  the  French  and  Spanish  Explorers ;"  an  article 
in  Harper^s  Magazine,  for  February,  1882,  by  John  Fiske. 

[I] 


2  Historical  Introduction, 

Rouen,  Normandy,  France.  The  Caveliers,  though  not 
ennobled,  were  citizens  of  marked  social  and  some  official 
distinction  in  that  ancient  and  wealthy  city.  His  father, 
Jean,  and  his  uncle  Henri,  were  rich  merchants,  and  the 
latter,  at  least,  was  one  of  the  "  Hundred  Associates  "  of 
Cardinal  Richelieu,  a  syndicate  largely  interested  in  trade 
with  the  territorial  possessions  of  France,  in  America.^ 
Being  an  earnest  Catholic,  Robert,  at  an  early  age,  became 
connected  with  the  Jesuits,  and  in  their  schools  acquired 
an  excellent  education,  especially  in  the  higher  mathe- 
matics and  the  exact  sciences.  His  nature,  however,  was 
one  which  chafed  under  the  restrictions  of  a  monastic 
order;  and  he  subsequently  withdrew  from  them,  though 
on  good  terms,  and  with  a  reputation  as  a  bright  scholar, 
and  of  unimpeachable  morals.  Free  to  seek  a  wider  field 
for  his  activities  than  that  offered  by  an  ecclesiastical 
career,  his  attention  was  drawn  to  Canada,  where  an  elder 
brother,  John  Cavelier,  a  priest  of  the  Sulpitian  order,  was 
then  residing.  But,  as  his  connection  with  and  withdrawal 
from  the  Jesuit  order  had  —  under  a  recent  French  law  — 
deprived  him  of  any  claim  upon  the  estate  of  his  recently 
deceased  father,  he  lacked  the  means  needed  for  the  voyage 
thither.  Finally,  he  obtained  an  allowance  (probably 
from  his  family)  of  300  or  400  livres,  with  which  slender 
sum  he  sailed  to  seek  his  fortune,  in  the  spring  of  1666. 

Shortly  after  his  arrival  at  Montreal,  he  received  from 
the  Superior  of  the  Sulpitian  Seminary,  which  had  recently 
become  the  feudal  lord  of  that  city,  a  large  grant  of  land 
(a  "seigniory")  in  that  vicinity.^  This  he  immediately 
proceeded  to  improve,  by  the  introduction  of  new  settlers 
as  tenants,  the  erection  of  buildings,  and  the  cultivation  of 
the  soil.     It  is  probable,  however,  that  even  before  coming 

1 "  The  Great  La  Salle,"  an  article  in  Harper's  Magazine,  for  Feb- 
ruary, 1905,  by  Henry  Loomis  Nelson,  L.  H.  D.  Also  Parkman's 
Pioneers  of  New  France,  Champlain  edition,  ii,  258,  260. 

2  This  feudal  estate,  some  eight  miles  from  Montreal,  bears  at  the 
present  day  the  name  of  La  Chine  (China),  modernly  spelled  Lachine, 
which  was  said  to  have  been  applied  to  it  in  derision  of  his  first 
fruitless  voyage. 


Historical  Introduction.  3 

to  Canada  he  had  outlined  to  himself  a  much  wider  sphere 
of  activity.  For,  with  the  prevision  which  was  a  feature 
of  his  character,  he  spent  much  of  his  time  during  the  first 
two  years  of  his  life  at  La  Chine,  in  mastering  the  Indian 
languages,  especially  those  of  the  Iroquois  and  Algonquin 
dialects.  And  in  this,  he  evidently  struck  upon  the  initial 
point  of  his  future  career.  For,  from  a  party  of  Senecas 
who  visited  with  him  several  weeks  at  his  seigniory,  he 
learned  of  a  great  river  (which  they  called  the  Ohio) 
"  flowing  into  the  sea,"  and  only  to  be  reached  by  a  journey 
of  eight  or  nine  months.  This,  he  conceived,  might  be  the 
river  of  which  he  had  already  heard  as  emptying  into  the 
"  Vermilion  Sea,"  or  Gulf  of  California,  and,  thinking  that 
perchance  it  might  possibly  prove  to  be  a  northwest  route 
to  China,  he  projected  a  voyage  of  discovery  thither.^ 
With  this  in  view  he  planned  a  visit  to  the  Senecas,  to  learn 
all  that  they  might  know  in  relation  to  the  matter.  Com- 
municating his  plans  to  the  Governor  (Courcelle)  and 
the  Intendant  (Talon)  of  Canada,  he  received  from  them 
the  necessary  authorization  to  make  the  attempt.  But 
first,  as  it  must  be  made  at  his  own  expense,  and  as  he  had 
already  spent  all  his  means  upon  the  improvement  of  his 
seigniory,  he  was  obliged  to  sell  his  lands,  etc.,  mainly  to 
the  Seminary,  from  which  he  had  obtained  them.  He, 
also,  though  perhaps  rather  unfortunately,  joined  his  inter- 
ests with  those  of  the  Sulpitians,  in  a  voyage  of  discovery 
which  that  order  were  about  to  make  for  missionary  pur- 
poses, in  the  same  direction. 

The  First  Voyage  of  Exploration,  1669-1675. 

This  joint  expedition,  under  command  of  La  Salle, 
started  from  La  Chine,  July  6th,  1669,  with  the  Ohio  river 
as  its  objective  point.     It  consisted  of  4  canoes,  and  15 

lit  must  be  remembered  that  the  voyage  of  the  priest  Marquette, 
and  the  fur-trader  Joliet,  in  1673,  had  reached  the  Mississippi,  down 
which  they  sailed  as  far  as  the  mouth  of  the  Arkansas.  At  that  point, 
thinking  that  they  had  sufficiently  established  the  fact  that  the  waters 


4  Historical  Introduction. 

men  of  La  Salle's  party;  3  canoes  and  7  men  of  the  Sul- 
pitian  contingent,  and  2  canoes  of  Seneca  Indians,  acting  as 
guides  —  9  canoes  and  24  men  in  all.  Thirty-five  days 
travel  brought  them  to  the  Seneca  village  (Irondequoit,  on 
the  south  side  of  Lake  Ontario),  where  they  found  a 
cordial  v^elcome,  but,  also,  difficulty  in  obtaining  guides. 
While  thus  delayed,  there  arrived  in  camp  two  Frenchmen, 
one  of  whom  was  Louis  Joliet,  fur-trader  and  voyageur, 
himself  an  honorable  figure  in  the  annals  of  western  dis- 
covery. Joliet,  who  had  visited  the  upper  lakes,  whither 
he  had  been  sent  by  Talon,  the  French  Intendant  at  Mon- 
treal, to  discover  and  report  upon  the  copper  mines  of  Lake 
Superior,  showed  to  the  priests  of  La  Salle's  party  a  map 
which  he  had  made  of  that  region,  and  of  which  he  gave 
them  a  copy;  and  he  told  them,  moreover,  of  the  heathen- 
ish condition  of  the  Pottawatomies  and  other  tribes 
dwelling  in  those  parts.  This  so  inflamed  the  religious 
zeal  of  the  priests  that  they  incontinently  lost  all  their 
interest  in  the  Ohio  project,  and  determined  to  deflect  their 
course  toward  the  lake  region,  despite  all  the  objections 
which  La  Salle  could  urge.  So  that,  being  firmly  set  in 
his  own  designs,  he  urged  a  recent  illness  as  his  excuse  for 
parting  with  them;  and  the  Sulpitians  started  northward, 
and  got  back  to  Montreal  in  June,  1670,  with  nothing  to 
show  (owing  to  sundry  misfortunes  and  losses,  especially 
that  of  their  altar-service,  without  which  they  could  not 
convert  the  heathen)  either  in  the  way  of  discovery,  or  of 
missionary  results.  La  Salle's  movements,  after  this 
*'  parting  of  the  ways,"  and  for  two  years  following,  are 
somewhat  involved  in  obscurity.  There  is  little  doubt, 
however,  that  he  was  busily  engaged  in  explorations  and 
discoveries  of  some  importance.^     Certain  it  is,  that  he  dis- 


of  the  Mississippi  discharged,  not  into  the  Gulf  of  California,  but  into 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico  (although  they  were  then  really  only  within  seven 
hundred  miles  of  its  mouth)  they  returned  to  Canada  and  so  reported. 
1  One  account  describes  his  route  as  being  by  way  of  Lake  Chautauqua 
into  the  valley  of  the  Alleghany,  thence  via  the  Ohio  river  to  Louis- 
ville;  and,   in  the  following  year,  the   crossing  of   Lake   Erie,   from 


Historical  Introduction.  5 

covered  the  Ohio,  since  his  own  assertion  of  the  fact,  in  a 
memoir  addressed  to  Count  Frontenac,  in  1677,  is  con- 
firmed by  the  testimony  of  his  rival,  Joliet,  upon  whose  two 
maps  of  the  Mississippi  and  the  great  lakes,  the  Ohio  is 
depicted  with  an  inscription  stating  that  it  had  been  ex- 
plored by  La  Salle. 

The  evidence  of  his  having,  on  this  voyage,  reached  and 
descended  the  Mississippi  is  not  so  clear.  What  militates 
most  strongly  against  the  assumption  that  he  did  so,  is  the 
fact,  that,  though  he  kept  journals  and  made  maps  of  this 
trip,  which  were,  as  late  as  1765,  in  possession  of  a  niece 
then  living  in  France,  at  an  advanced  age;  yet,  when,  after 
La  Salle's  death,  this  niece  together  with  an  uncle  and  a 
nephew  of  the  explorer  petitioned  the  King  for  a  certain 
grant  in  consideration  of  the  discoveries  made  by  their  dis- 
tinguished relative,  they  made  no  mention  of  such  discov- 
ery, as  they  would  most  likely  have  done  if  they  had  know^n 
of  it. 

But  the  discovery  of  the  Illinois  river  must»  undoubtedly, 
be  credited  to  him. 

Returning  to  Canada,  from  his  long  wanderings,  he 
found  great  changes  going  on  in  that  country.  It  was  no 
longer  simply  a  missionary  field,  but  was  fast  assuming 
the  form  and  character  of  a  colony.  A  royal  Viceroy,  or 
Governor-General,  had  taken  the  place  of  the  former  Gov- 
ernor and  Intendant;  and  the  controlling  interests  of  the 
Sulpitian  order  were  now  largely  overshadowed  by  those 
of  the  Jesuits.  Both  Count  Frontenac,  the  Governor,  and 
the  Intendant  Talon,  were  men  of  similar  character  and  held 
like  views  with  La  Salle.  Like  him,  they  entertained  plans 
of  wider  scope  than  those  of  any  previous  Canadian 
officials.  And  when  he  broached  his  plan  of  finding  and 
opening  up  of  the  Mississippi,  and  the  rich  southern  coun- 
try through  which  it  ran,  and  of  fortifying  along  its  course, 

south  to  north,  and  via  the  Detroit  river  to  Lake  Huron;  thence  into 
Lake  Michigan  and  the  Chicago  river,  and  across  the  short  portage 
to  the  IlHnois  river. 


6  Historical  Introduction, 

and  especially  at  its  outlet,  against  the  incursions  of  the 
Spanish  and  English,  he  enlisted  their  ready  sympathy. 
Thus,  leaving  to  the  Jesuits,  with  a  dislike  of  whom  they 
all  three  seemed  to  have  been  imbued,  the  frozen  Canadian 
country;  and  to  the  English,  that  portion  of  the  continent 
east  of  the  Alleghanies,  they  proposed  to  themselves  to  con- 
quer the  remainder  of  this  vast  territory  for  the  King  of 
France. 

The  generally  accepted  French  policy  of  that  day,  in 
regard  to  the  acquisition  of  new  territory  in  North 
America,  was  that  the  discovery  of  a  great  river  gave 
to  all  the  territory  drained  by  such  river  an  inchoate  (or 
inceptive)  title,  which  later  could  be  completed  by  occu- 
pation. It  was  the  attempt  to  carry  out  this  policy  which 
cost  (and  lost)  France  the  Seven  Years  War,  in  which  the 
politics  and  history  of  America  and  Europe  became  inex- 
tricably mixed.  And  of  this  policy,  Count  Frontenac,  the 
Governor,  Talon,  the  Intendant,  and  La  Salle,  the  explorer, 
now  became  the  leading  exponents  in  Canada.  They  were 
all  exceptionally  strong  men,  full  of  ambitions  and  untiring 
energy,  and  their  scheme  combined  not  only  military  occu- 
pation, but  the  reclamation  of  the  Indian  tribes  and  their 
concentration  around  the  proposed  chain  of  French  forts, 
together  with  colonies  of  French  immigrants  of  an  agricul- 
tural and  industrial  character,  the  extension  of  the  buffalo 
fur-trade,  etc. —  in  fact  a  most  enchanting  mirage  of  future 
civilization  and  Christianity  in  the  vast  central  area  of  this 
continent.  In  itself,  the  scheme  was  too  vast  to  be  more 
than  a  sketch  of  future  possibilities;  and,  moreover,  it 
ignored  certain  needs  and  facts  which  were  most  important 
to  its  success.  For  instance,  the  French  immigration  to 
this  country,  at  that  time,  was  totally  inadequate  to  furnish 
settlers  enough,  and  with  sufficient  rapidity  to  ensure  the 
successful  colonization  of  the  new  territory.  Again,  the 
pacification  among  themselves,  of  the  numerous  and 
warring  Indian  tribes  which  occupied  this  western  con- 
tinent,  and   the   securing  of  their  peaceful   and   friendly 


Historical  Introduction,  7 

co-operation  with  the  whites,  was  a  work  almost  impossible 
within  the  limits  of  a  generation  or  more  —  and,  until  it 
was  done,  colonization  would  be  slow,  and  its  difficulties 
and  dangers  deterrent  to  such  emigration.  Another  in- 
herent point  of  weakness  in  the  plan  was  the  difficulty  of 
keeping  in  touch  with  and  depending  upon  a  home  govern- 
ment thousands  of  miles  away,  as  well  as  the  uncertain 
nature  of  such  dependence  in  the  political,  commercial,  and 
ecclesiastical  conflicts  which  would  be  apt  to  arise,  and 
necessarily  would  have  to  be  adjusted,  more  or  less,  through 
the  medium  of  Colonial  officials  —  whose  motives  would  not 
always  be  free  from  the  imputation  of  self-interest. 

The  jealousy  of  the  Jesuits,  now  conscious  of  their 
waning  power  in  the  affairs  of  the  new  Colonial  regime, 
had  always  been  felt  by  La  Salle  —  and  probably  with 
good  reason  —  to  be  inimical  to  his  plans ;  and  the  future 
held  out  no  hope  of  its  being  less  persistent  or  bitter. 

The  personality  of  the  explorer,  also,  weighed  fully  as 
much  against,  as  for,  the  success  of  his  undertaking.  By 
nature  cold,  reserved,  and  reticent,  he  was  not  a  genial 
man ;  and  possessed  little  or  none  of  that  magnetism  which 
wins  men's  hearts.  Absorbed,  as  he  was,  with  the  details 
of  his  great  plans,  and  the  responsibilities  which  they  im- 
posed upon  him,  he  was  ever  self-contained  and  self- 
repressed.  Even  the  few  most  faithful  and  trusted  com- 
panions of  his  labors  could  hardly  be  considered  as  on 
terms  of  intimacy  with  him.  And  the  necessity  of  main- 
taining the  strictest  discipline  among  the  class  of  men  by 
whose  following  and  aid  he  had  to  carry  on  his  work  — 
voyageurs,  courriers  des  bois,  traders,  conoeists,  and  In- 
dians —  who  comprehended  him  not,  but  were  simply  com- 
pelled by  the  force  of  his  will,  certainly  did  not  tend  to 
establish  that  community  of  interest  which  should  have 
existed  between  them.  It  was,  in  fact,  this  lacking  quality 
in  an  otherwise  magnificent  character,  which  was  ever 
thwarting  his  plans  and  which  rendered  his  brief  career  of 
eight  years  in  exploration  work  an  almost  uninterrupted 


8  Historical  Introduction. 

record  of  disaster  —  leading  —  though  with  one  momen- 
tary triumph  —  to  a  tragic  end. 

Omniscience  is  denied  to  Man.  It  belongs  only  to  the 
Creator,  who  has  given  to  men,  in  its  place,  the  limited 
faculty  of  foresight.  And,  with  such  foresight  as  they 
had,  the  three  promoters  of  the  fortunes  of  New  France  — 
Count  Frontenac,  Talon,  and  La  Salle  —  formulated  their 
plans,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1674  the  latter  sailed  for 
France,  to  obtain  the  royal  sanction  and  the  moneyed  help 
which  were  needed.  Whatever  the  strength  or  the  weak- 
nesses of  their  project,  money  was  their  sine  qua  non. 

La  Salle's  first  return  to  France.  Bearing  strong  letters 
of  recommendation  from  Frontenac  to  the  French  Minis- 
ter of  State,  Colbert,^  he  met  with  a  cordial  reception  at 
home.  In  response  to  his  petitions  to  the  King,  he  was, 
in  consideration  of  his  services  as  an  explorer,  raised  to 
the  ranks  of  the  untitled  nobility^  and  was  granted  the 
seigniory  of  the  new  post  on  Lake  Ontario,  which,  in  honor 
to  his  patron,  was  named  Fort  Frontenac.  He  was  also 
invested  with  the  command  of  the  same,  together  with  that 
of  the  settlement  around  it,  subject  to  the  authority  of  his 
friend  the  Governor-General.  On  his  part  he  undertook 
to  repay  to  the  King  the  cost  of  the  fort,  to  maintain  it,  at 
his  own  charge,  with  a  garrison  equal  to  that  of  Montreal, 
besides  laborers ;  to  form  a  French  colony  around  it,  as  well 
as  one  of  domesticated  Indians  near  by;  to  build  a  church 
and  support  one  or  more  Recollet  friars. 

He  had  but  little  trouble,  now  that  he  was  in  the  sun- 
shine of  royal  favor,  in  obtaining  from  his  gratified  family 
and  friends  the  needed  funds;  and  on  his  return  to  Can- 

iLa  Salle  had,  in  the  parlance  of  the  present  day,  "made  himself 
solid"  with  the  Governor,  by  his  active  participation  in  Frontenac's 
plans  for  the  enlargement  of  the  French  power  in  Canada;  especially 
in  the  matter  of  holding  a  council  with  the  Iroquois,  at  Onondaga, 
where  a  treaty  of  peace  was  secured  from  that  powerful  and  warlike 
tribe,  which  seemed  to  ensure  peace  for  many  years. 

2  La  Salle's  Patent  of  Nobility  is  given  in  the  second  volume  of  this 
series,  "  Shea's  Discovery  and  Exploration  of  the  Mississippi  Valley," 
from  Paris  Doc.  in  Sec'y's  Office,  Albany,  vol.  ii,  pp.  8-1 1. 


Historical  Introduction.  0 

ada  (1675),  proceeded  to  comply  with  the  terms  of  his 
seigniorial  grant.  Within  two  years,  the  original  wooden 
fort  was  replaced  by  a  much  larger  one  of  cut  stone,  on  the 
land  side,  and  on  the  outer  side  by  palisades,  and  its  walls 
manned  by  nine  small  cannon.  On  the  inside  it  contained 
barracks,  a  guard-house,  officers'  quarters,  a  forge,  a  well, 
a  mill,  and  a  bakery  —  all  of  substantial  build.  Its  gar- 
rison consisted  of  two  officers,  a  surgeon,  and  ten  or  twelve 
soldiers,  with  a  large  number  of  masons,  laborers,  and 
canoe-men.  Near  the  two  villages  which  stretched  along 
the  shore  south  of  the  fort  (one  of  French  farm-tenants, 
the  other  of  friendly  Iroquois)  were  the  chapel  and  resi- 
dence of  two  Recollet  friars.  Over  a  hundred  (French) 
acres  of  cleared  and  cultivated  land,  and  cattle,  fowl,  and 
swine,  brought  from  Montreal,  gave  ample  evidence  of 
permanent  occupation;  and  four  vessels  for  lake  and  river 
navigation,  as  well  as  a  fleet  of  canoes,  hinted  strongly  at 
the  seignior's  predilection  for  travel  and  exploration. 
Feudal  lord  of  the  entire  region  around  him  (for  the 
nearest  settlement  was  a  week's  journey  distant),  com- 
mander of  a  garrison  paid  by  himself,  founder  and  patron 
of  a  church,  he  was  now  literally  "  master  of  all  which  he 
surveyed;"  and  had  he  been  content  so  to  remain,  would 
soon  have  become  a  merchant-prince,  for,  ere  long,  as  esti- 
mated by  a  friend,  he  was  "  making  more  than  25,000 
livres  a  year.'' 

His  cup  of  success,  however,  was  not  without  its  in- 
fusion of  bitterness.  He  found  himself  in  a  very  mael- 
strom of  opposition  and  detraction,  arising  from  the 
jealousy  of  those  interested  in  the  Montreal  fur-trade, 
(especially  among  the  Jesuits),  who  saw  in  the  royal  favors 
conferred  on  La  Salle  the  ultimate  downfall  of  their  own 
interests.  In  this  violent  imbroglio  of  commercial,  polit- 
ical and  priestly  rivalry,  envy,  malice,  contemptible,  and 
persistent  espionage,  and  even  poison,  played  their  respec- 
tive parts. 

Meanwhile,   the   free  life  of   Nature  was  wooing  his 


lo  Historical  Introduction, 

spirit,  the  fever  of  exploration  was  still  strong  upon  him; 
and  he  valued  the  position  he  had  attained  only  as  a 
stepping-stone  to  the  realization  of  his  life-long  dream. 

La  Salle's  second  return  visit  to  France.  So,  in  the 
autumn  of  1677,  leaving  his  fort  and  seigniory  in  charge  of 
a  trusted  lieutenant,  La  Forest,  v^ho  v^as  also  one  of  his 
partners  in  the  proposed  fur-trade,  La  Salle  sailed  again  for 
France.  There,  lodged  modestly  in  a  rather  obscure  quar- 
ter of  Paris,  he  renewed  the  friendships  and  associations 
which  he  had  formed  during  his  previous  visit ;  and  added 
to  them  by  making  new  and  valuable  friends.  Among 
these  were  the  Marquis  de  Seigneley,  the  Prince  de  Conti, 
La  Motte  de  Sussiere,  and  last  but  not  least,  Henri  de 
Tonti,  thenceforth  his  foremost  companion  in  his  Western 
labors.^  La  Salle  also  received  from  the  King  a  royal 
patent  authorizing  him  to  explore  and  occupy  the  Missis- 
sippi country,  "  through  which,  to  all  appearances,  a  way 
may  be  found  to  Mexico."  This  patent,  confirmatory  of 
that  granted  him  in  1675,  irnposed  upon  him  the  erection 
and  maintenance  of  such  forts  as  he  might  deem  necessary, 
and  gave  him  a  monopoly  for  five  years  of  the  trade  in 
buffalo  hides.  The  whole  expense  was  to  be  borne  (as  was 
the  custom  of  the  monarchs  of  that  day,  in  granting  lands 
which  they  did  not  own,  and  the  privileges  which  such 
grants  carried  with  them)  by  the  grantee.  The  fur-trade 
of  the  Montreal  colony  was  not  to  be  interfered  with;  nor 
did  the  patent  include  any  provision  or  encouragement  of 
the  industrial  or  colonization  scheme  which  had  fully  taken 

1  Capt.  Tonti  (or  Tonty,  as  he  signed  his  name  in  its  GalHcized 
form)  was  an  Italian  (the  son  of  the  financier  who  instituted  that 
form  of  Hfe-insurance  known  as  the  Tontine),  an  ex-officer  in  the 
Sicilian  wars,  where,  by  the  explosion  of  a  grenade,  he  lost  one  of  his 
hands.  This  loss  was  supplied,  in  some  measure,  by  an  artificial  hand 
of  iron,  or  some  other  metal,  over  which  he  always  wore  a  glove,  and 
the  weight  of  which  was,  in  one  or  two  instances  at  least,  felt  by  the 
savages  who  tried  to  intimidate  him.  Tonti's  name  will  survive  in 
history  as  that  of  La  Salle's  most  faithful  and  courageous  friend  and 
lieutenant,  and  one  who,  by  reason  of  his  noble  qualities  is  entitled 
to  our  admiration  and  respect.  See  also  Parkman's  La  Salle  (Cham- 
plain  edit,  i,  129). 


Historical  Introduction.  il 

possession  of  La  Salle's  mind.  Content,  however,  with 
what  he  could  get  in  the  way  of  kingly  favor  —  on  the 
principle,  perhaps,  that  "  half  a  loaf  is  better  than  no  loaf," 
the  adventurer  turned  his  attention  to  securing  the  needed 
funds,  and  soon,  by  loans  from  friends  and  family,  and  by 
mortgages  upon  his  Fort  Frontenac  property,  had  raised 
sufficient  to  carry  out  his  purpose. 

On  the  14th  July,  1678,  Le  Sieur  La  Salle,  as  he  must 
thenceforth  be  called,  with  Tonti,  La  Motte,  and  30  men, 
mostly  ship  carpenters,  with  a  cargo  of  iron,  cordage, 
anchors,  etc.,  sufficient  for  the  equipment  of  two  vessels, 
set  sail  for  Quebec,  where  they  arrived  after  a  two  months* 
voyage.  Here  they  met  with  Father  Hennepin,  a  Recollet 
friar,  who  had  come  to  Canada  three  years  before,  and 
whose  name  fromi  this  point  is  prominently  connected  with 
American  Western  exploration.^ 

The  Second  Voyage  of  Exploration  (1678-1679) 
was  virtually  commenced,  under  the  orders  of  La  Salle 
(who  was  with  Tonti)  detained  at  Quebec  by  his  own 
affairs,  and  the  difficulties  arising  from  the  machinations 
of  his  enemies,^  by  La  Motte  and  Hennepin.  They  set 
sail,  from  Fort  Frontenac,  November  18th,  1678,  in  a  small 
vessel  of  ten  tons;  but  it  was  not  until  the  6th  of  December 
that  they  reached  the  mouth  of  the  Niagara  river  and 
saw  the  grand  cataract  of  which  Hennepin's  pencil  has 
preserved  the  first  known  picture  and  description.  Two 
leagues  above  the  mouth  of  the  Niagara  river  La  Motte 
began  the  erection  of  a  fort,  where  he  was  joined  later  by 
La  Salle  and  Tonti.     Here,  under  almost  unsurmountable 


1  Hennepin  was  a  Jesuit  priest,  a  courageous  and  rather  able  man, 
to  whose  memoirs  we  are  mdebted  for  much  information  concerning 
La  Salle's  and  other  early  explorations;  though  the  value  of  his 
writings  is  much  impaired  by  his  tendency  to  tell  large  stories,  and 
to  claim  for  himself  the  credit  which  belonged  to  others;  a  tendency 
which  seemed  to  increase  more  and  more  with  each  successive  edition 
of  his  book. 

2  The  animus  of  this  enmity,  which  persistently  followed  La  Salle 
for  the  rest  of  his  life,  is  fully  explained  on  pp.  101-104  of  Parkman's 
La  Salle,  Champlain  edition,  vol.  i. 


ra  Historical  Introduction, 

obstacles,  due  to  the  excessive  cold,  and  hunger,  as  well 
as  jealousies  among  the  men,  and  the  distrust  of  the 
Indians,  a  ship-yard  was  improvised,  and  a  vessel  of  about 
45  tons  was  builded  and  equipped  with  five  small  cannon. 
She  was  named  the  Griifln,  in  honor  of  the  Governor-Gen- 
eral, and  her  prow  was  ornamented  with  a  grotesque  figure 
of  that  somewhat  apocryphal  animal,  in  compliment  to 
his  family  arms.^ 

The  building  of  this  fort  and  of  the  GriUdn  was  a  master- 
stroke of  La  Salle's,  for  Niagara  was  the  key  to  the  four 
great  upper  lakes  (Erie,  Huron,  Superior,  and  Michigan), 
and  by  its  position  would  control  the  fur-trade  of  the  whole 
northern  country.  In  time  of  peace  it  would  intercept  the 
trade  between  the  Iroquois  and  the  Dutch  and  English  at 
Albany;  in  time  of  war  it  would  be  a  menace  to  both. 

Any  forward  movement,  however,  was  delayed  from  Feb- 
ruary until  August,  1679,  by  the  absence  of  La  Salle,  who 
had  been  obliged  to  return,  with  Tonti,  to  Fort  Frontenac 
for  needed  supplies,  and  to  attend  to  some  of  his  private 
affairs.  For  his  creditors,  excited  by  false  reports  of  his 
insolvency,  had  seized  upon  all  his  available  property,  out- 
side of  his  seigniory. 

Despite  these  embarrassments,  however,  he  pushed  for- 
ward his  enterprise,  and  by  the  7th  of  August  the  GriMn 
was  sailing  upon  the  waters  of  Lake  Erie,  never  before 
ploughed  by  the  keel  of  a  white  man's  ship.  Passing 
through  the  Straits  of  Detroit  and  into  Lake  Huron,  they 
stayed  not  their  course,  although  nearly  wrecked  by  a  fierce 
gale,  until,  early  in  September,  they  dropped  anchor  at 
the  entrance  of  Green  Bay,  within  the  waters  of  Lake 
Michigan.  Here,  at  Michilimackinac,  was  a  Jesuit  mis- 
sion and  centre  of  Indian  trade,  where  they  were  received 
with  show  of  welcome  by  the  holy  fathers,  and  with  evi- 
dent distrust  by  their  Indian  proteges.     Here  La   Salle 

1  La  Salle  often  prophesied,  says  Parkman  (La  Salle,  i,  149),  that 
he  "would  make  the  griffin  fly  above  the  crows,"  i.  e.,  that  he  would 
make  the  influence  of  Frontenac  triumph  over  that  of  the  Jesuits. 


Historical  Introduction.  13 

found  that  a  party  of  his  men  whom  he  had  sent  on  in 
advance  to  the  IlHnois,  to  trade  for  him  and  make  prepara- 
tions for  his  coming,  had  been  tampered  with,  had  appro- 
priated the  goods  in  their  charge  to  their  own  uses,  and 
that  many  of  them  were  missing.  Six  of  these  rascals 
were  found  at  Michihmackinac,  and  with  two  found  by 
Tonti  at  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  were  captured  with  their 
plunder  and  the  remainder  had  taken  to  the  woods.  It  had 
been  La  Salle's  intention  to  leave  his  party  at  this  point 
to  proceed  on  their  way  to  the  Illinois,  under  Tonti,  while 
he  himself  should  return  to  Canada,  to  look  after  and  pro- 
tect his  own  concerns  there.  But  Tonti  was  just  then  ab- 
sent, and  there  was  great  need  of  his  remaining  with  his 
men,  lest  they  should  again  be  enticed  away  from  their 
duty.  Besides,  he  was  desirous  to  frustrate  a  plan  of  his 
enemies,  which  he  thought  he  had  discovered,  to  set  the 
Iroquois  "  by  the  ears  "  with  the  Illinois,  with  a  view  to 
draw  him  into  the  war,  and  thus  interrupt  his  plans. 

Finally  sailing  westward  into  Lake  Michigan  he  found 
near  Green  Bay^  several  faithful  men  of  the  advance  party 
whom  he  had  sent  out,  who  had  collected  there  and  on  the 
way  thither,  a  considerable  store  of  furs;  which  he  deter- 
mined to  send  back  to  Niagara,  on  the  Grifdn,  to  satisfy  his 
exacting  creditors,  with  orders  to  return  to  the  head  of 
Lake  Michigan  as  soon  as  possible.^  She  set  sail  on  this 
return  voyage  on  the  i8th  of  September,  in  the  face  of  a 
storm,  which  prevailed  for  several  days.  In  the  same  storm, 
,  also.  La  Salle  and  the  fourteen  men  left  to  him,  by  numer- 
ous desertions  en  route,  resumed  their  journey,  in  four 
canoes,  heavily  laden  with  a  forge,  tools,  merchandise,  and 
arms.    It  was  no  pleasure  trip;  twice  they  were  swamped, 

1  Green  Bay  was  a  mission  among  several  Indian  tribes  of  Lake 
Michigan,  established  by  the  Jesuit  fathers,  Allouez  and  Dablon, 
1669-70. 

2  By  the  terms  of  his  patent  from  the  King,  this  was  clearly  an 
infringment  of  the  monopoly  belonging  to  the  Montreal  colony,  and 
was  subsequently  used  against  him  by  his  enemies,  as  well  as  being 
the  primal  cause  of  his  loss  of  the  GriMn. 


14  Historical  Introduction. 

and  nearly  lost  the  contents  of  their  canoes,  as  well  as  their 
lives :  drenched,  cold,  and  without  provisions,  they  suffered 
much,  and  distrust  of  the  Indians  with  whom  they  met  on 
shore  increased  their  sufferings.  But  steadily  he  pushed  on 
along  the  western  coast  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  circled 
around  its  southern  end  until  he  reached  the  mouth  of  the 
St.  Joseph,  called  by  him  the  Miami.  Here  he  had  ex- 
pected to  meet  Tonti  with  twenty  men,  coming  along  the 
eastern  shore  of  the  lake  from  Michilimackinac.  But  no 
Tonti  was  there.  It  was  the  ist  of  November,  the  streams 
were  freezing  over,  and  their  provisions  were  fail- 
ing. Unless  they  could  reach  the  villages  of  the  Illinois 
before  the  Indians  left  for  their  winter  hunt,  starvation 
might  be  their  fate.  The  dissatisfaction  of  his  men  pre- 
saged mutiny  and  desertion,  but  La  Salle  firmly  refused 
to  remove  from  the  place  where  they  were,  and  affirmed 
his  intention,  if  they  should  desert,  to  remain  with  his 
Mohegan  hunter  and  the  three  friars  of  his  party  until 
the  arrival  of  Tonti.  Then,  the  better  to  occupy  their 
thoughts,  he  set  them  to  work  on  the  building  of  a  timber 
fort.  Twenty  days  later,  and  when  this  work  was  well 
under  way,  Tonti  appeared,  but  with  only  half  of  his 
men.  Provisions  having  failed,  he  had  left  the  remainder 
thirty  leagues  behind,  to  get  their  living  as  best  they  mighty 
by  hunting.  But  La  Salle  sent  him  back,  with  two  men, 
to  find  and  bring  them  forward.  On  this  return  trip,  their 
canoe  was  swamped  in  a  violent  gale,  and  guns,  baggage, 
and  provisions  were  lost  and  they  returned  to  the  fort  on 
the  Miami,  subsisting  on  aconis  by  the  way.  The  balance 
of  Tonti's  party,  except  a  couple  of  deserters,  came  into 
camp  a  few  days  after. 

But  the  GriiHn  came  not  back  to  the  waiting  party.  Nor 
was  her  fate  ever  known;  whether  she  was  lost  by  stress 
of  storm,  by  Indian  attack,  or  (as  La  Salle  always  thought) 
by  treachery  of  her  pilot.  Longer  delay,  however,  was 
impossible:  and  so,  after  sending  back  two  of  his  men  to 
Michilimackinac,  and  to  pilot  her,  if  she  still  existed,  to  the 


Historical  Introduction,  15 

Miami  fort,  his  party,  numbering  33  in  all,  was  re-em- 
barked, 3rd  December,  1679,  on  the  St.  Joseph,  keeping  a 
sharp  lookout  along  the  right-hand  shore  for  the  path  or 
portage  leading  to  the  headwaters  of  the  Illinois  river. 
This,  owing  to  the  absence  of  the  Mohegan  hunter,  they 
missed,  and  La  Salle  went  on  shore  to  look  it  up,  lost  his 
way,  and  passed  a  dismal  night  in  a  thick  snowstorm. 
Meantime  Tonti  and  Hennepin,  growing  uneasy,  also 
landed,  ordered  guns  to  be  fired,  and  sent  out  men  to  find 
their  lost  commander,  if  possible.  He  was  found  near 
morning,  and,  with  the  aid  of  the  Mohegan,  who  had  re- 
turned, the  portage  was  also  found  and  La  Salle,  excess- 
ively fatigued,  turned  in,  with  Hennepin,  for  a  little  rest 
in  a  wigwam  which  was  covered  with  mats  made  of  reeds. 
During  the  night  the  cold  forced  them  to  kindle  a  fire,  from 
which  the  mats  caught  ablaze,  so  that  before  daybreak  they 
were  turned  out  into  the  cold  again,  having  barely  escaped 
being  burned  with  their  shelter.  In  the  morning,  shoulder- 
ing their  canoes,  they  started  across  the  portage  to  the  head- 
waters of  the  Illinois  —  distant  some  five  miles.  As  the 
party  filed  along  on  their  way,  a  disgruntled  man,  who 
walked  behind  La  Salle,  raised  his  gun  to  shoot  him  in  the 
back,  but  was  prevented  by  a  companion.  Reaching  the 
Kankakee,  one  of  the  sources  of  the  Illinois,  they  floated 
their  canoes  on  its  thin  and  sluggish  stream;  and  passing 
through  wide  areas  of  swamps,  and  prairies,  glided  along 
at  the  base  of  "  Starved  Rock  "  near  the  great  town  of  the 
Illinois,  and  on  New  Year's  Day,  1680,  reached  the  head 
of  the  Illinois  river,  where  they  landed,  and  Father  Henne- 
pin celebrated  the  Mass.  Four  days  later  they  had  reached 
the  long  expansion  —  the  river  now  called  Peoria  Lake, 
and  near  its  southern  end  they  came  upon  a  large  camp  of 
Indians,  who  received  them  at  first  with  surprise  and  en- 
mity. But  La  Salle  and  his  men  leaped  ashore,  and  by  his 
bravery  and  knowledge  of  Indian  character  quelled  their 
fears,  so  that  Frenchmen  and  Indians  were  soon  seated 
together  at  a  feast  such  as  the  former  had  not  for  some 


1 6  Historical  Introduction. 

time  seen.  The  calumet  of  peace  was  exchanged  and  La 
Salle  explained  to  his  hosts  his  object  and  his  wish  for 
peace,  so  that  they  all  retired  to  sleep  in  amity.  In  the 
morning,  however.  La  Salle  found  that  he  was  regarded 
with  distrust,  and  soon  learned  that  Indian  emissaries  from 
another  tribe  had  been  tampering,  over-night,  with  his 
hosts  —  who  now  appeared  quite  indisposed  to  friendship. 
He  saw,  in  this  sudden  change  of  front,  the  hand  of  the 
Jesuits,  and  when,  at  a  second  feast,  tendered  by  one  of  the 
chiefs,  he  was  urged  to  desist  from  his  plan  of  descending 
the  Mississippi,  by  arguments  of  the  number,  valor,  and 
ferocity  of  the  tribes  inhabiting  its  valley,  the  terrors  of 
alligators,  serpents,  and  unnatural  monsters,  and  the  fear- 
ful nature  of  the  river  itself,  he  was  fully  confirmed  in  his 
opinion.  In  a  strong,  but  temperate  address.  La  Salle  de- 
clared his  disbelief  in  those  marvelous  tales,  and  affirmed 
that  they  were  lies,  inspired  by  French  jealousy  of  his 
project,  and  sent  them  through  Iroquois  sources.  A  few 
days  later,  a  band  of  Mississippi  Indians  visited  the  camp, 
from  whom  he  learned  the  utter  falsity  of  these  stories  and 
also  had  the  assurance  that  the  tribes  along  that  river  would 
receive  the  white  men  with  favor.  On  this  he  took  the  first 
opportunity,  at  another  feast,  of  confronting  the  Illinois 
chiefs  with  so  full  a  description  of  the  river  (which  he 
said  had  been  communicated  to  him  by  "  the  Great  Spirit  ") 
its  course  and  its  final  meeting  with  the  sea,  that  his  sav- 
age hearers  "  clapped  their  hands  to  their  mouths,"  in  as- 
tonishment, and  conceiving  him  to  be  a  sorcerer,  confessed 
that  what  they  had  said  was  false  and  inspired  only  by 
their  desire  to  retain  him  amongst  them. 

Meanwhile,  he  had  determined  to  fortify-  himself  for  the 
winter  (it  was  now  the  middle  of  January)  in  a  position 
where  he  could  face  an  Illinois  outbreak,  or  an  Iroquois 
invasion,  better  than  he  could  do  in  the  Indian  camp  where 
he  was  then  a  guest.  Taking  advantage  of  a  thaw,  which 
temporarily  reopened  the  frozen  river,  he  with  Hennepin, 
in  a  canoe,  sought  and  soon  found  the  site  he  had  chosen. 


Historical  Introdiiction.  ly 

on  a  low  hill,  or  knoll,  half  a  league  from  the  camp  and 
about  200  yards  from  the  southern  bank.  In  front  of  this 
knoll  was  a  marsh,  overflowed  at  high  tide,  and  on  either 
side  a  ravine.  A  ditch  was  dug  behind  this  knoll,  connect- 
ing these  two  ravines,  and  thus  isolating  it  from  the  main- 
land. On  each  side  of  the  hill,  which  was  nearly  square, 
an  embankment  was  thrown  up  and  its  sloping  sides  were 
guarded  by  chevaux-de-frise,  and  a  25-foot  palisade  sur- 
rounded the  whole.  The  buildings  within  this  area  were 
of  musket-proof  timber.  This  fort,  the  first  civilized  act 
of  occupation  in  the  present  State  of  Illinois,  he  named 
Fort  Crevecoeur. 

"  La  Salle's  men,"  says  Parkman,  "  were  for  the  most 
part  raw  hands,  knowing  nothing  of  the  wilderness,  and 
easily  alarmed  at  its  dangers,  *  *  *  j^  ^vas  .to  the  last 
degree  difficult  to  hold  men  to  their  duty.  Once  fairly  in 
the  wilderness,  completely  freed  from  the  sharp  restraints 
of  authority  in  which  they  had  passed  their  lives,  a  spirit  of 
lawlessness  broke  out  among  them  with  a  violence  propor- 
tioned to  the  pressure  which  had  hitherto  suppressed  it. 
Discipline  had  no  resources  and  no  guarantee;  while  these 
outlaws  of  the  forest,  the  courriers  des  hois,  were  always 
before  their  eyes,  a  standing  example  of  unbridled  license." 
Desertions  and  disaffections  among  his  followers  were,  at 
this  time,  a  heavy  burden  to  La  Salle;  and  he  even  barely 
escaped  from  another  attempt  to  poison  him.  Finally,  how- 
ever, having  apparently  placated  the  Indians  of  the  vicinity, 
and  checked,  as  he  hoped,  the  disposition  to  mutiny  and 
desertion  among  his  men,  which  had  been  a  constant  men- 
ace to  his  plans,^  he  built,  in  an  incredibly  short  time,  a 

1  He  clearly  foresaw  what  this  journey  involved,  for  as  he  wrote 
to  one  of  his  associates  in  his  enterprise,  "though  the  thaws  of  ap- 
proaching Spring  greatly  increased  the  difficulty  of  the  way,  inter- 
rupted as  it  was  everywhere  by  marshes  and  rivers,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  length  of  the  journey,  which  is  about  500  leagues  in  a  direct 
line,  and  the  danger  of  meeting  Indians  of  four  or  five  different 
nations  through  whose  country  we  were  to  pass,  as  well  as  an  Iroquois 
army  which  we  knew  was  coming  that  way;  though  we  must  suffer 
all  the  time  from  hunger,  sleep  on  the  open  ground,  and  often  with- 


1 8  Historical  Introduction, 

vessel  of  40  tons'  burden  with  which  to  descend  the  river  to 
the  Mississippi.  He  also  sent  Hennepin  and  two  others  in 
a  canoe  to  explore  the  Illinois  to  its  junction  with  the 
larger  river.  He  himself,  having  now  given  up  all  hopes 
of  the  GriiUn,  began  a  return  to  Canada,  for  needed  sup- 
plies, in  canoes,  with  four  Frenchmen  and  an  Indian 
hunter,  leaving  the  faithful  Tonti,  with  a  dozen  or  so  men 
to  hold  the  fort  and  guard  the  half-finished  ship.  It  was 
a  desperate  journey,  but  he  felt  that  unless  the  articles  lost 
in  the  GriiHn  were  replaced  without  delay,  the  expedition 
would  be  retarded  for  a  full  year,  and  probably  utterly 
foiled  by  the  additional  expense  which  would  be  incurred 
for  the  support  of  his  men.  On  the  way  he  met  the  two 
men  whom  he  had  sent  back  to  Michilimackinac  in  search 
of  the  Griffin,  but  they  brought  him  no  tidings  of  her  fate, 
and  ordering  them  to  join  Tonti  at  Fort  Crevecceur,  he 
pressed  firmly  on.  He  also  took  occasion  to  examine  the 
capabilities  of  the  "  Starved  Rock  "  upon  the  Illinois,  and 
sent  back  word  to  Tonti  to  make  it  a  stronghold  of  defense 
in  case  of  necessity.  His  journey  occupied  sixty-five  days 
of  incessant  toil,  danger,  and  accidents  that  rendered  it 
"  the  most  adventurous  one  ever  made  by  a  Frenchman 
in  America ;"  he  himself  was  the  only  one  of  the  party  who 
did  not  break  down,  either  from  fatigue  or  illness,  and 
when  Lake  Erie  was  reached,  it  was  his  arm  alone  which 
ferried  their  canoe  over  to  the  blockhouse  at  Niagara.  They 
reached  Fort  Frontenac  on  the  6th  of  May,  and  he  pushed 
on  directly  to  Montreal. 

His  sudden  reappearance  there  caused  the  greatest  as- 

out  food;  watch  by  night  and  march  by  day,  loaded  with  baggage 
such  as  blankets,  clothing,  kettle,  hatchet,  gun,  powder,  lead,  and 
skins  to  make  moccasins;  sometimes  pushing  through  thickets,  some- 
times climbing  rocks  covered  with  ice  and  snow,  sometimes  wading 
whole  days  through  marshes  where  the  water  was  waist-deep,  or 
even  more,  at  a  season  when  the  snow  was  not  entirely  melted  — 
though  I  knew  of  this,  it  did  not  prevent  me  from  resolving  to  go 
on  foot  to  Fort  Frontenac,  to  learn  for  myself  what  had  become 
of  my  vessel,  and  bring  back  the  things  we  needed." —  Parkman's 
La  Salle  (Champlain  edit),  i,  189-90. 


Historical  Introduction.  19 

tonishment;  and  he  was  met  on  every  hand  with  news  vof 
disaster.  Both  Man  and  Nature  seemed  in  arms  against 
him;  his  agents  had  phmdered  him,  creditors  had  seized 
upon  his  property,  a  vessel  from  France,  laden  with  stores 
valued  at  over  10,000  crowns,  had  been  lost  at  the  mouth 
of  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  of  twenty  men  hired  in  Europe, 
some  had  been  detained  by  the  Intendant  Duchesneau,  and 
all  but  four  of  the  remainder  had  been  told  that  he  was 
dead,  and  had  returned  home.  Yet,  undaunted  by  these 
staggering  blows  of  Fortune,  he  went  vigorously  to  work ; 
and,  within  a  week,  succeeded  in  gaining  the  supplies  he 
so  much  needed  for  the  forlorn  band  he  had  left  behind 
him  on  the  Illinois.  Finally,  on  the  very  eve  of  his  em- 
barkation froin  Fort  Frontenac,  a  letter  from  Tonti  in- 
formed him  that  most  of  the  men  left  at  Fort  Crevecoeur 
had  deserted,  plundered  the  fort,  and  destroyed  all  the 
arms,  goods,  etc.,  w^hich  they  could  not  carry  away  with 
them ;  and  this  was  followed  by  a  letter  from  two  friendly 
lake  traders  which  told  him  that  the  deserters  had  also 
destroyed  his  fort  at  St.  Joseph,  seizing  a  quantity  of  furs 
belonging  to  him  at  Michilimackinac,^  and  plundered  the 
magazine  at  Niagara ;  and  that,  largely  reinforced  by  others, 
they  were  seeking  him  along  the  northern  shore  of  Lake 
Ontario,  with  the  design  of  killing  him,  if  they  met,  in 
order  to  escape  punishment  for  their  misdeeds.  La  Salle's 
courage  rose  promptly  to  the  occasion.  Choosing  nine  of 
his  trustiest  men,  he  started  out,  in  canoes,  to  face  them, 
met  and  captured  four  of  them  in  one  canoe  and  killed 
two  and  captured  three  others  in  another  canoe.  His  pris- 
oners he  placed  in  custody  at  Fort  Frontenac,  to  await  the 
coming  of  Governor-General  Frontenac;  and  immediately 
put  out  on  his  return  to  the  Illinois,  and  the  relief  of  his  gal- 
lant lieutenant  Tonti.  He  took  with  him  a  new  lieutenant, 
one  La  Forest,  a  surgeon,  ship-carpenter,  joiners,  masons, 

1 A    Jesuit   mission,    established    among   the    Hurons,    1670-72,    by 
Father  Marquette. 

/ 


20  Historical  Introduction. 

soldiers,  voyageurs  and  laborers,  25  men  in  all,  with  full 
outfits  of  all  needed  tools  for  the  building  of  the  vessel  and 
a  new  fort.  By  a  shorter  route  than  that  of  the  previous 
year,  they  arrived  at  Michilimackinac,  pushed  on  with 
12  men  to  the  ruined  fort  at  St.  Joseph,  where  he  left 
the  heavy  stores,  under  a  small  guard,  to  await  the  arrival 
of  La  Forest.  His  anxiety  to  reach  Tonti,  of  whom,  thus 
far,  he  had  heard  nothing,  was  greatly  increased  by  a 
rumor  of  an  impending  invasion  of  the  Illinois  country, 
by  the  Iroquois,  which  foreboded  a  new  disaster  to  his 
enterprise.  And  as  the  party  passed  down  the  Illinois,  it 
met  with  evidences  everywhere  that  the  two  savage  tribes 
had  indeed  met  in  combat,  to  the  utter  rout  of  the  Illinois ; 
but  their  anxiety  in  regard  to  Tonti  was  not  relieved  by 
any  word  or  sign.  The  vessel,  however,  which  he  had 
left  unfinished  at  Fort  Crevecoeur  was  still  entire,  and  but 
slightly  damaged.  Once  more  taking  to  their  canoes,  they 
descended  the  river  (250  miles)  to  its  junction  with  the 
Mississippi,  which  they  first  saw  about  the  7th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1781.^  There  was  now  nothing  left  for  him,  except  to 
retrace  his  way  up  the  Illinois  to  relieve  the  men  whom  he 
had  left  at  the  fort  on  the  St.  Joseph.^  And,  though  to  his 
surprise  he  learned  no  tidings  of  Tonti,  he  found  that  his 
men  under  La  Forest's  orders  had  restored  the  fort,  cleared 
a  place  for  planting,  and  prepared  the  timber  and  plank  for 
a  new  vessel. 

Tonti,  meanwhile,  finding  himself  caught  in  the  very 
midst  of  the  terrible  war  between  the  Iroquois  and  the 

1  The  white  man's  name,  "  The  Father  of  Waters,"  applied  to  this 
river,  is  a  rather  grandiloquent  paraphrase  of  the  Indian's  "  All  Water," 
but  seems  to  apply  only  to  one  feature  of  its  greatness  —  viz.,  its 
size.  The  Indian  name,  however,  compounded  of  Missi,  whole,  and 
sipi,  river,  more  nearly  describes  its  collective  character,  as  the  great 
irrigating  system  of  this  vast  region,  receiving  many  tributaries,  both 
great  and  small. 

2 Fortunately,  his  fort  and  colony  were  not  attacked  at  that  time; 
but  later  it  withstood  a  six-days'  siege,  under  the  combined  command 
of  Tonti  (as  La  Salle's  representative)  and  De  Baugis,  a  French 
officer,  representing  the  Governor-General.  The  attack,  however,  was 
unsuccessful. 


Historical  Introduction.  21 

Illinois  —  from  which  he  extricated  himself  and  his  party 
only  by  the  supreme  exercise  of  his  wisdom  and  courage, 
against  odds  almost  unsurmountable,  had  reached  Lake 
Michigan,  near  Chicago,  and  following  its  borders  north- 
ward had  reached  Green  Bay,  in  a  starved  and  half-frozen 
condition,  from  which  they  were  relieved  by  a  friendly  tribe 
of  Pottawatomies.  In  March,  La  Salle  heard  of  the  safety 
of  Tonti,  and  in  May,  to  their  great  joy,  these  two  brave 
men  were  reunited.^ 

La  Salle  passed  the  winter  at  his  fort  on  the  Miami,  on 
the  St.  Joseph,  by  the  border  of  Lake  Michigan,  planning 
how  to  meet  the  old  disappointments  and  difficulties  which 
still  surrounded  him,  as  well  as  the  new  contingencies  which 
he  foresaw  would  soon  arise.  Of  these  latter,  the  most 
formidable  was  the  enmity  of  the  ferocious  Iroquois  na- 
tion, which  had  already  terrorized  the  Illinois,  and  shown 
a  disposition  to  interfere  with  his  own  plans.  To  this  end, 
he  conceived  the  idea  of  a  confederation  of  the  Illinois 
with  some  of  the  Western  tribes,  and  some  from  the  New 
England,  and  Atlantic  borders  of  the  East,  which,  under 
his  leadership  and  the  protection  of  France,  would  be  a 
mutual  defense  against  the  incursions  of  the  Iroquois.  This 
bold  project  he  speedily  carried  into  effect,  by  his  tact,  per- 
sonal address,  and  superb  oratory  —  for  he  was  a  natural- 
bom  diplomat,  especially  in  all  his  dealings  wnth  Indians. 
This  done  he  returned  to  Canada,  to  compose  his  own  dis- 
turbed affairs,  collect  his  scattered  resources,  and  placate 
his  creditors.  By  the  beginning  of  autumn  he  was  again 
on  his  way  to  complete  the  task  —  already  twice  defeated 
—  of  discovering  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi.  For,  though 
he  had  satisfied  himself  that  it  really  existed,  he  had  still 
to  determine  its  course,  and  navigability,  and  the  nature  of 

^The  account  of  these  evidences  and  of  La  Salle's  consequent 
anxiety  as  to  Tonti's  fate,  are  well  described  by  Parkman  (La  Salle, 
i,  pp.  205-213,  Champlain  edit.).  The  record  of  Tonti's  tribula- 
tions in  this  invasion  of  the  Iroquois  into  the  Illinois  town,  and  his 
heroic  conduct,  is  given  in  chapter  XVI  of  same  volume. 


22  Historical  Introduction. 

its  exit  into  the  ocean  ^  as  well  as  to  acquaint  himself  with 
its  resources,  and  its  savage  inhabitants.  When  he  reached 
his  fort  at  the  Miami  in  October,  he  found  there  some  of 
his  new  Indian  allies  from  the  East,  and  with  i8  of 
them  and  23  of  his  own  Frenchmen,  started  for  the  head- 
waters of  the  Illinois  —  dragging  their  canoes  and  baggage 
on  sledges,  as  the  streams  were  frozen.  They  reached  the 
Mississippi  on  the  6th  of  February,  launched  their  little  fleet 
of  canoes,  and  —  delayed  a  few  days  by  floating  ice  —  re- 
sumed their  course,  passing  successively  the  mouths  of  the 
Missoui-if  the  Ohio,  and  the  Arkansas  rivers,  and  making 
visits  to  many  tribes  along  their  course,  by  whom  they 
were  well  received.  As  they  reached  the  end  of  their 
journey,  on  the  6th  of  April,  sixty-two  days  from  the  time 
of  entering  the  river,  they  saw  that  the  river  divided  into 
three  broad  channels,  or  mouths,  of  which  La  Salle  fol- 
lowed the  western  one,  Dautray  the  eastern,  and  Tonti  the 
middle  one. 

After  La  Salle  had  located,  in  his  canoe,  the  nearby 
borders  of  the  great  sea,  or  gulf  (of  Mexico)  which  spread 
before  them,   the  three  parties   reassembled    (April   9th, 

^  For,  it  must  be  remembered,  the  fact  of  the  existence  of  this 
great  river  was  known  to  the  European  world  long  before  La  Sailers 
time.  Its  three  mouths  are  shown  in  the  edition  of  Ptolomy, 
printed  at  Venice  in  15 13  —  wherein  the  delta  of  the  Mississippi  is 
traced  with  more  accuracy  than  in  the  maps  of  the  next  century. 
Dr.  J.  G.  Shea,  in  the  Introduction  (pp.  x-lxxv)  to  the  volume  of  this 
series  (The  Discovery  and  Exploration  of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  1903) 
has  very  carefully  and  clearly  epitomized  the  results  of  the  earliest 
explorations  down  to  those  of  La  Salle,  viz.,  that  of  Garay  (1578)  ; 
of  De  Vaca  ( — -)  ;  of  Friar  Mark  (1539)  ;  and  of  De  Soto  (1539)  ; 
of  Muscoso  (i539~43);  of  De  Luna  (1557);  of  other  missionary 
efforts  (1580)  ;  and  of  others  of  less  account,  which  all  kept  alive  the 
knowledge  of  the  great  river  of  the  North  American  continent  called 
by  the  Spanish  Rio  del  Espiritu  Santo. 

Then  early  in  the  seventeenth  century,  came  the  French  explorers; 
Champlain  and  the  Jesuits  (1608)  ;  Nicolet  (1639)  ;  Jogues  (1641)  ;  Al- 
louez  (1669);  Dablon  (1670);  Marquette  (1673),  and  Joliet  — all  of 
whom,  by  observation  or  report,  confirmed  the  existence  of  the 
Mississippi. 

All  of  these  were  influenced  in  their  labors  by  greed,  by  the  spirit 
of  commercialism  and  adventure,  or  by  a  sublime  faith  and  religious 
zeal.  It  was  reserved  for  La  Salle  to  enter  this  region  with  the 
distinct  idea  of  colonization,  and  of  making  it  a  source  of  revenue  and 
a  glory  to  the  land  which  he  represented. 


Historical  Introduction.  23 

1682)  at  a  spot  where  a  column  was  erected  and  near  it  a 
plate  was  buried  bearing  the  arms  inscribed  with  the  words 
of  France,  and  ''Louis  Le  Grande,  Roy  de  France  et  de 
Navarre,  Regne,  Le  Neuvieme,  Avril,  1682.  Then  while 
the  Te  Deum,  the  Exaudeat  and  the  Domine  Salvum 
fac  Regem  were  chanted,  the  volleys  of  musketry  dis- 
charged by  the  men  under  arms,  with  cries  of  "  Vive  le 
Roi ;  "  a  cross  was  planted  beside  the  column  and  Le  Sieur 
de  Salle,  sword  in  hand,  proclaimed  the  new-found  terri- 
tory as  Louisiana,  and  Louis  XIV  as  its  King  and  rightful 
Lord. 

The  vast  domain  thus  secured,  after  the  manner  of  those 
times,  to  the  French  Crown,  extended  from  the  Alleghanies 
to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  from  the  Rio  Grande  and  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico  to  the  farthest  springs  of  the  Missouri ;  but 
the  name  —  Louisiana  —  which  he  gave  it  is  now  con- 
fined to  a  single  commonwealth  in  the  great  sisterhood  of 
states  forming  the  United  States  of  America. 

Now,  in  the  culmination  of  his  triumph  he  was  seized 
by  an  illness  so  severe  as  to  threaten  his  life ;  and  was  un- 
able to  reach  Fort  Miami,  even  by  slow  stages,  before 
August,  and  to  rejoin  Tonti,  whom  he  had  dispatched  with 
news  of  his  success  to  Canada.  It  se^s  to  have  been  about 
this  time  that  be  began  to  abandon  the  difficult  access  which 
he  had  hitherto  found,  through  Canada,  with  all  its  dan- 
gers and  enemies,  both  whites  and  Indians;  and  to  reach 
the  region  of  his  hopes  and  toils  more  directly  by  way  of 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi.  His 
plans  of  descending  that  river  by  means  of  a  vessel  had 
twice  been  thwarted  by  disasters  which  proved  its  futility; 
and  to  attempt  his  purpose  with  canoes  would  be  fraught 
with  much  difficulty  and  an  enormous  expense.  He  pur- 
posed now,  in  view  of  all  his  past  experiences,  to  form  on 
the  banks  of  the  Illinois  a  colony  of  French  and  Indians,  as 
a  place  of  storage  of  the  furs  which  could  be  gathered  by 
the  various  Western  tribes;  and  as  a  defense  against  the 
Iroquois,  who  were  alike  inimical  to  the  French  and  their 


24  Historical  Introduction. 

Illinois  allies.  And  rumors  of  an  impending  renewal 
of  attack  upon  these  allies  urged  him  to  greater 
speed ;  so  he  and  Tonti  repaired  at  once  to  "  Starved 
Rock,"  before  mentioned.^  This  was  a  cliff,  rising  to  a 
height  of  125  feet,  on  the  southern  bank  of  the  Illinois, 
presenting  on  three  sides  a  sheer  perpendicular  wall,  and 
on  its  other  side  a  deep  ravine;  and  it  was  accessible  only 
by  a  difficult  climb  from  behind.  Its  area  was  about  an  acre. 
This  rock,  in  December,  1662,  they  cleared  of  the  forest 
which  crowned  it,  dragged  timber  up  the  ragged  pathway, 
built  storehouses  and  dwellings,  and  surrounded  the  sum- 
mit with  palisades.  In  this  eyrie,  which  he  christened 
Fort  St.  Louis  of  the  Illinois,  the  winter  was  passed  by 
La  Salle's  company,  and  by  tactful  management  he  secured 
the  friendship  of  the  neighboring  tribes.^ 

Around  and  under  the  protection  of  this  fortification 
was  soon  gathered  a  motley  gathering  of  the  Illinois,  and 
fragments  of  other  tribes,  all  looking  to  him  as  their  feudal 
lord;  and  to  these  followers,  by  virtue  of  his  seigniorial 
rights,  he  began  to  grant  parcels  of  land,  and  soon  had 
the  nucleus  of  a  colony  of  some  20,000  souls,  numbering 
about  4,000  warriors. 

But,  while  thus  engaged  in  the  wilderness,  matters  in 
Canada  were  looming  up  adversely  to  his  interests.  His 
friend  and  patron.  Count  Frontenac,  had  been  recalled  to 
France,  and  the  man  who  succeeded  him  as  Governor- 
General,  one  de  La  Barre,  was  prejudiced  against  the  ex- 
plorer and  constantly  misrepresenting  him  to  the  home 
government  in  France.  Furthermore,  emboldened  by  the 
tone  of  the  King's  letter,  who  had  been  led  to  condemn  La 
Salle's  doings  and  plans.  La  Barre,  with  other  associates, 
seized  Fort  Frontenac  (which  was  La  Salle's  property), 
despite  the  remonstrances  of  the  creditors  and  mortgagees ; 
sold  his  stores  for  their  own  benefit,  and  turned  his  cattle 

1  This  place,  of  which  a  view  is  given  at  p.  i68  of  Parkman's  La  Salle, 
vol.  i,  Champlain  edition,  is  about  six  miles  below  the  town  of  Ottawa, 
Illinois. 

2  La  Salle's  estimate  of  the  number  of  these  Indians  was  about 
20,000,  or  a  fighting  capacity  of  4,000  warriors. 


Historical  Introduction.  25 

to  pasture  on  the  growing  crops.  The  position  of  La 
Salle  became  intolerable,  cut  off  from  his  supplies,  for 
which  he  entreated  Governor  La  Barre  in  vain,  threatened 
with  an  onslaught  of  the  Iroquois,  and  unable  to  afford  his 
own  Indian  allies  the  help  which  he  had  promised  them,  he 
had  no  other  resource  than  to  leave  his  wilderness  colony  in 
faithful  Tonti's  care,  and  cross  the  ocean  again  to  face  his 
enemies  before  the  Court  and  King. 

La  Salle's  third  return  visit  to  France.  So,  early  in  the 
autumn  of  1683,  he  again  turned  his  face  homeward. 
Quite  to  his  surprise,  as  we  may  well  imagine.  La  Salle 
found  that  the  time  of  his  return  was  fortuitous.  His  old 
friends  rallied  around  him;  his  enemies  seemed,  for  the 
moment,  to  have  lost  their  influence  against  him.  Best 
of  all,  both  the  King  and  his  Ministers  were  in  better 
humor  with  him  than,  from  the  tone  of  recent  home  corre- 
spondence, he  had  reason  to  expect.  The  country  was  now 
at  war  with  Spain,  and  the  trend  of  official  opinion  chimed 
in  very  happily  with  the  proposals  which  he  had  to  offer  for 
the  consideration  of  King  and  Ministry. 

These  proposals  were  (i)  to  establish  a  fortified  post 
upon  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  within  one  year  after  his  arrival 
there;  (2)  to  fortify  on  the  Mississippi,  about  fifty  leagues 
above  its  mouth,  and  there  collect  an  army  of  ov^r  15,000 
Indians;  thus  commanding  the  whole  river  valley,  and 
forming  a  base  for  military  operations  against  the  Span- 
iards in  the  most  northern  province  of  Mexico.  His  plan 
also  embraced  the  adding  (on  his  way)  50  buccaneers  at 
St.  Domingo,  and  4,000  Indian  warriors  from  his  Fort  St. 
Louis  on  the  Illinois.  For  this  design,  he  asked  for  a  ves- 
sel of  30  guns,  a  few  cannon  for  the  forts,  and  200  men, 
to  be  raised  in  France,  armed,  paid,  and  maintained  at  the 
King's  expense.  If,  by  peace  with  Spain,  he  was  prevented 
for  more  than  three  years  from  the  full  execution  of  this 
contract,  he  bound  himself  to  refund  to  the  Crown  all  the 
costs  of  the  enterprise,  or  forfeit  the  government  of  the 
posts  thus  established.  The  scheme  which  he  thus  out- 
lined to  the  French  monarch  and  his  Minister  Seignelay, 


26  Historkal  Introduction, 

of  bidding  defiance  to  Spanish  incursions,  and  of  con- 
trolling the  entire  trade  and  colonization  of  the  entire 
Mississippi  valley,  was  most  gladly  and  promptly  accepted 
by  them.  La  Forest,  La  Salle's  lieutenant,  being  then  in 
Paris,  was  dispatched  to  Canada,  empowered  to  recover 
and  reoccupy,  in  La  Salle's  name,  the  Forts  Frontenac  and 
St.  Louis  of  the  Illinois,  from  which  he  had  been  dispos- 
sessed by  Governor  La  Barre;  and  to  the  latter  the  King 
personally  wrote,  ordering  him  to  restore  to  La  Salle,  or  his 
representative,  all  the  property  of  which  he  had  been  un- 
justly deprived.  As  to  the  equipment  of  the  expedition, 
he  was  given  four  vessels,  instead  of  the  two  for  which 
he  had  asked,  viz.,  the  Joly,  .a  36-gun  ship  of  the  royal 
navy,  a  6-gun  ship,  a  store-ship,  and  a  ketch.  Soldiers 
were  enrolled,  besides  30  volunteers,  many  of  whom  were 
gentlemen  and  of  the  better  class  of  the  bourgeois ;  several 
families,  and  girls  matrimonially  inclined,  as  colonists; 
together  with  pilots,  mechanics,  laborers,  and  six  friars  and 
priests  of  the  Sulpitian  and  Recollet  orders.^ 

Unfortunately,  the  expedition,  from  the  first,  was 
hampered  with  a  divided  command.  La  Salle's  request 
had  been  for  its  sole  command,  with  a  subaltern  officer,  one 
or  two  pilots,  and  entire  control  of  the  route  they  should 
take,  and  of  the  troops  and  colonists  on  land.  But  the 
command  of  the  ships  was  given,  by  the  Minister,  to  one 
Beaujeu,  an  old  and  experienced  officer  of  the  royal  navy  — 
and  even  before  the  expedition  set  sail,  a  collision  of 
opinions  and  authority  arose  between  the  two  heads  of  the 
expedition,  which  imperiled  its  success.^ 

Finally,  on  the  24th  of  July,  1684,  the  expedition  sailed, 
from  Rochelle.  Its  further  history  is  to  be  found  in  the 
following  pages  of  Joutel's  Journal. 

1  La  Salle's  brother,  the  Abbe  Cavelier,  Fathers  Membre,  Douay 
and  Le  Clerc,  all  more  on  less  afterward  associated  with  American 
exploration,  were  among  this  clerical  contingent. 

2  Most  interesting  as  to  these  troubles,  and  La  Salle's  mental  condi- 
tion at  this  critical  point,  are  the  pages  97-109,  vol.  II  of  Parkman's 
La  Salle  (Champlain  edition). 


Biographical  Note. 


Henri  Joutel,  the  writer  of  this  narrative,  was  a 
native  of  Rouen,  in  France.  His  father  had  formerly  been 
head-gardener  to  Henri  CaveHer,  the  uncle  of  Rene  Robert 
Cavelier,  Sieur  de  la  Salle,  the  explorer,  whose  presence 
and  projects  for  a  new  voyage  to  the  Mississippi  were 
the  engrossing  subjects  of  interest  to  his  fellow  towns- 
men of  Rouen  just  at  the  time  of  Joutel's  return  from  a 
seventeen  years^  service  in  the  army.^ 

Being  then  in  the  prime  of  his  young  manhood,  of  an  ad- 
venturous spirit,  unhampered  by  family  responsibilities, 
and  free  for  any  new  employment,  he  very  naturally  be- 
came a  volunteer  in  the  enterprise  of  his  distinguished 
fellow-townsman.  He  evidently  possessed  a  fair  educa- 
tion for  that  day,  and  a  character  for  reliability  and  experi- 
ence, which,  together  with  his  personal  and  business  quali- 
fications, rendered  him  most  acceptable  to  La  Salle's  pro- 
jected undertaking.  His  social  position  in  his  native  town, 
if  we  may  infer  from  the  title  of  "  Mr."  usually  prefixed 
to  his  name,  was  that  of  a  bourgeois  —  that  class  in  the 
community  which  for  centuries  has  been  the  mainstay  and 
source  of  France's  stability  and  prosperity.  In  the  mixed 
military  and  naval  expedition  which  sailed  under  La  Salle's 
orders,  his  position  seems  not  to  have  been  that  of  a  com- 
missioned officer,  though  he  styles  himself  in  his  Journal, 
"  a  Commander,"  but  rather  that  of  a  personal  lieutenant 

1"  Sixteen  or  seventeen  years,"  as  he  says  in  his  Journal,  under 
date  of  July,  1684;  "so  that,  as  he  could  hardly  have  entered  the 
service  before  the  age  of  18  or  20,  he  must  have  been,  at  the  time  he 
linked  his  fortunes  to  those  of  La  Salle,  about  35  or  37  years  old  — 
hence  born,  probably,  about  1643-5." 

[27] 


28  Biographical  Note, 

and  confidant^  of  the  Commander-in-Chief  —  in  other 
words,  a  superintendent  of  such  matters  as  pertained  to  the 
provisioning,  sheltering,  and  general  care  and  regulation 
of  the  interests  and  comfort  of  the  settlers,  both  male  and 
female,  who  formed  a  part  of  the  expedition. 

His  services  to  the  enterprise  of  which  he,  fortunately, 
became  the  historian,  as  they  are  simply  and  circumstan- 
tially narrated  in  this  Journal,  and  corroborated  by  con- 
temporary evidence,  prove  that  La  Salle's  choice  of  him, 
as  "  the  man  of  affairs  "  of  the  expedition  was  well-founded 
and  fortunate.  Practical,  methodical,  resourceful  in  every 
emergency,  tactful  in  his  dealings  with  all  the  members  of 
the  heterogeneous  company  with  whom  he  was  associated, 
and  inflexibly  loyal  to  his  Chief,  Joutel  fully  pro\^ed  his 
worth. 

Twice,  at  least,  his  life  was  in  danger,  from  the  machina- 
tions of  mutineers.  The  first  time,  the  plot  was  discovered 
in  time,  and,  having  received  an  order  to  join  La  Salle  with 
all  his  force,  he  delivered  the  criminals  to  the  latter.  And 
again,  being  left  in  charge  of  the  Fort  St.  Louis,  with  34 
men,  Joutel  was  disturbed  by  a  plot  to  kill  him  or  deprive 
him  of  his  office  —  from  which  once  more  his  life,  which 
ultimately  proved  so  valuable  to  the  party,  was  presented. 

His  Journal,  here  printed,  is  valuable  from  its  exactness 
of  detail,  and  the  fact  that,  in  many  places,  it  corrects  the 
careless  or  misleading  statements  of  others,  and  it  is  re- 
markably free  from  the  egotism  which  disfigures  or  weak- 
ens the  narratives  of  some  early  travelers  in  America. 
Parkman,  comparing  it  with  other  accounts  written  by  sur- 
vivors of  the  expedition,  says  emphatically,  *'  It  gives  the 
impression  of  sense,  intelligence  and  candor,  throughout." 

No  shadow  of  complicity  in  the  murder  of  La  Salle  at- 
taches to  Joutel.  That  he  did  not  more  strongly  assert  him- 
self in  the  critical  emergencies  which  succeeded  that  tragical 
event,  was  due,  probably,  to  a  combination  of  circumstances. 

1 "  Intendant "  is  the  official  French  term. 


Biographical  Note.  29 

The  mutineers  who  had  accomplished  the  deed  were  over- 
whelmingly dominant,  and  the  Hves  of  the  whole  party  trem- 
bled in  the  balance.  Joutel  was  no  coward ;  but  the  situation 
in  which  they  found  themselves  called  for  the  exercise  of 
that  prudence  which  is  ofttimes  the  better  part  of  valor. 
Neither  was  he  ambitious,  so  that,  when  the  little  band  of 
seven  who  sought  to  separate  themselves  from  the  assassins, 
finally  started  upon  their  long  and  perilous  journey  toward 
the  North,  we  find,  as  if  by  common  consent,  that  the  Abbe 
Cavelier  figures  as  the  nominal  leader.  Undoubtedly,  this 
was  due  partly  to  the  respect  felt  by  Joutel  for  the  aged 
ecclesiastic  by  virtue  of  his  sacred  office,  as  well  as  by  his 
own  life-long  association,  at  Rouen,  with  the  family  of 
Cavelier;  and  also  by  motives  of  policy  in  thus  securing 
for  the  party  the  prestige  of  being  headed  by  a  La  Salle  — 
a  "  name  to  conjure  with  "  amid  the  savage  tribes  through 
whom  they  must  pass. 

Yet,  undoubtedly,  it  was  mainly  to  Joutel's  prudence, 
courage,  and  practical  knowledge  that  the  little  band  of  sur- 
vivors —  after  their  marvelous  journey  of  over  800  miles 
through  trackless  wilds,  and  amid  innumerable  dangers 
from  flood,  disease,  and  savages  —  finally  reached  Quebec, 
and  ultimately  their  beloved  France,  in  October,  1688. 

The  motives  previously  alluded  to  as  influencing  Joutel  m 
waiving  his  right  to  the  leadership  of  the  party,  on  its  re- 
turn to  civilization,  may,  probably,  sufficiently  account  for 
(even  if  they  do  not  fully  condone)  his  connivance  (as  also 
tliat  of  Father  Douay)  in  the  concealment,  for  over  two 
years,  of  the  fact  of  La  Salle's  death  —  a  deception  un- 
doubtedly originating  with  the  Abbe  Cavalier,  who  desired 
thereby  to  get  possession  of  property  which  might  other- 
wise have  been  seized  by  creditors  of  his  deceased  brother 
the  Sieur  Robert  La  Salle,  the  explorer.  Parkman  says 
(note  to  p.  207,  vol.  ii.  La  Salle's  Voyages,  Champlain  edi- 
tion) that  "  the  prudent  Abbe  died  rich  and  very  old,  at  the 
home  of  a  relative,  having  inherited  a  large  estate  after  his 
return  from  America." 


30  Biographical  Note. 

Joutd  appears  to  have  spent  the  rest  of  his  Hfe  at  Rouen, 
where  Charlevoix  says  he  saw  him  in  1723;  and  speaks  of 
him  as  a  very  upright  man,  and  evidently  the  only  trust- 
worthy member  of  La  Salle's  party.  Of  Joutel's  fourfia-l  he 
also  speaks  in  the  same  strain.^ 

1  His  words  are   "  un  fort  honnete  homme,   et  seul   delatroupe   de 
M.  de  La  Salle,  sur  qui  celebre  voyageur  put  compter." 


JOURNAL 

Of  the  Last 

VOYAGE 

Pcrform'd  by 

Monfr*  de  la  Sale, 

TO  THE 

GuLPH  of  Mexico, 

To/fcfind  out  the 

Mouth  ofthe  Mifftftpi  River; 

CONTAINING, 

An  Account  of  the  Settlements  he  endeavoured  to 
make  on  the  Coaft  of  the  aforefaid  Bay^  his 
unfortunate  Death,  and  the  Travels  of  his 
Companions  for  the  Space  of  Eight  Hundred 
Leagues  acrofs  that  Inland  Country  of  America, 
now  call'd  Louifiana^  (and  given  by  the  King  of 
France  to  M.  Crozat^  till  they  came  into  Canada, 

Written  in  French  by  Monfieur  J  o  u  T  E  L, 

A  Commander  in  that  Expeditions 
And  Tranjlaied  from  the  Edition  ju/t  publi/h* d  at  Paris. 

V7ith  an  exact  Map  of  that  vaft  Country,  and  a  Copy  of  ihc 
Letters  Patents  gnnttd  by  the  K.of  France  to  M.  Crozat, 

LONDON,  Printed  for  A,  Bell  at  the  Crofs-Keys  and 
Bible  in  Cornbill,  B.  Lintott  at  the  Crofs  Keys  in  Fket- 
ftreet,  and  J,  Baker  in  Pater- No/ter.Rovf,  1714. 


THE 


French    Bookseller 


TO   THE 


READER. 


The  Manuscript  of  this  Journal  hapning  to  fall  into  my 
Hands,  and  having  shewn  it  to  some  Persons  well  vers'd 
in  these  Affairs,  they  were  of  Opinion  it  desen/d  to  he 
printed;  especially  at  this  Time,  when  travels  are  so  much 
in  Request,  and  in  regard  this  is  now  seasonable,  on  Ac- 
count  of  the  Description  it  gives  of  the  famous  River  Mis- 
sisipi  and  of  the  Country  of  Louisiana,  where  it  is  intended 
to  make  great  Settlements.  Besides,  this  Relation  is  un- 
common, curious  and  ingaging,  both  in  Regard  to  the 
Honour  and  Advantage  of  the  Nation,  for  as  much  as  it 
contains  the  Attempts  and  the  bold  and  glorious  Undertak- 
ings of  our  French  Adventurers,  who  not  satisfied,  like 
others,  zvith  discovering  the  Borders  and  Coasts  of  un- 
known Countries,  proceed  to  penetrate  into  the  Inland, 
through  a  thousand  Dangers  and  Hazards  of  their  Lives. 
Is  it  not  very  commendable  in  them,  to  make  us  fully  ac- 
3  [33] 


34  French  Bookseller  to  Reader, 

quainted  with  that  great  remaining  Part  of  the  World, 
which  for  so  many  Ages  continued  unknown  to  our  Fore- 
fathers, till  about  two  hundred  Years  ago  Christopher  Co- 
lumbus discover' d  it,  and  Americus  Vespusius  going  over 
soon  after,  gave  it  his  Name,  causing  it  to  he  calVd  America  ? 
One  of  those  whom  I  desired  to  peruse  this  Manuscript,  has 
a  little  polisWd  it,  pursuant  to  the  Orders  I  received;  and  he 
having  been  a  considerable  Traveller,  was  a  proper  Person 
to  judge  of  and  put  it  into  a  Dress  fit  to  appear  in  puhlick. 
The  Letter  he  writ  to  me,  being  not  only  instructive,  in  Re- 
lation to  the  Journal,  but  of  Use  as  a  curious  Supplement  to 
it,  I  thought  the  inserting  of  it  would  be  acceptable,.  It  is 
as  follows. 

SIR, 
I  Return  you  your  Manuscript;  the  Reading  of  it  has 
revived  the  Satisfaction  I  once  took  in  my  Travels;  it  has 
oblig'd  me  to  read  over  again  those  of  several  Persons,  who 
have  writ  of  Canada,  and  carry' d  me  in  Imagination 
through  those  vast,  barbarous  and  unknown  Countries, 
with  much  more  Ease  and  less  Danger  than  was  done  by 
the  Hero  of  this  Relation.  He  certainly  deserves  that  hon- 
ourable Title,  and  having  read  his  Adventures,  I  could  not 
forbear  saying  with  the  Poet 

Illi  robur  &  ces  triplex 
Circa  Pectus  erat. 

For  what  an  extraordinary  Strength,  what  a  Vigour  of 
Body  and  Mind  was  requisite  for  him  to  project,  to  under- 
take and  to  go  thro'  with  so  unusual,  so  bold  and  so  diffi- 
cult an  Enterprize.  A  Discovery  of  above  eight  hundred 
Leagues  of  barbarous  and  unknown  Countries,  without  any 
beaten  Roads,  without  Towns,  and  without  any  of  those 
Conveniencies,  which  render  Travelling  more  easy  in  all 
other  Parts.  All  the  Land-Carriage  is  reduced  to  walking 
afoot ;  being  often  without  any  other  Shoes  but  a  Piece  of 
a  Bullock's  Hide  wrapp'd  about  the  Feet;  carrying  a  Fire- 


French  Bookseller  to  Reader,  35 

lock,  a  Snapsack/  Tools  and  some  Commodities  to  barter 
with  the  Natives.  It  is  true  that  accidentally  and  but  very 
rarely  a  Horse  is  found  to  help  out  a  little. 

If  they  must  venture  upon  the  Water,  there  are  only 
some  wretched  Canoes,  made  either  of  the  Barks  of  Trees 
or  of  Bullocks  Hides,  and  those  they  must  often  carry  or 
drag  along  the  Land,  when  the  Falls  of  the  Rivers  obstruct 
making  use  of  them.  All  the  Bed  is  lying  on  the  bare 
Ground,  exposed  to  the  Inclemencies  of  the  Air,  to  be  de- 
voured by  Alligators  and  bit  by  Rattle  Snakes;  without 
Bread,  Wine,  Salt  and  all  other  Comforts  of  Life,  and  this 
for  some  Years.  The  Diet  altogether  consists  in  a  poor 
Pap  or  Hasty-Pudding  made  of  the  Meal  of  Indian  Corn, 
Fish  half  broiFd  or  ill  boil'd,  and  some  Beef  or  wild  Goats 
Flesh,  dry'd  in  the  Air  and  Smoke.  Besides,  what  a  Trou- 
ble is  it  to  invent  Signs  to  be  understood  by  so  many  sev- 
eral Nations,  each  of  which  has  it's  peculiar  Language? 
All  this  an  Adventurer  must  resolve  with  himself  to  go 
through,  who  designs  to  make  Discoveries  in  Canada;  and 
it  would  be  hard  to  believe  this,  did  not  all  those  who  write 
of  it  exactly  agree  in  this  Particular. 

However  that  Country  is  good  and  pleasant,  at  least  to- 
wards the  South,  which  is  what  is  here  spoken  of.  The 
Temparature  of  the  Climate  is  admirable,  the  Soil  excellent 
for  Tillage,  and  it  is  extraordinary  fertil  in  all  Sorts  of 
Grain  and  Fruit;  which  appears  by  those  the  Land  pro- 
duces of  it  self  in  great  Plenty.  The  Hills  and  Woods  pro- 
duce Timber  for  all  Uses  and  Fruit  Trees,  as  well  of  cold 
as  hot  Countries.  There  are  Vines  which  want  but  little 
Improvement;  there  are  Sugar-Canes,  large  Meadows,  and 
navigable  Rivers  full  of  Fish.  It  is  true  they  are  infested 
wuth  Alligators,  but  with  a  little  Care  they  are  to  be 
avoided ;  as  may  the  Rattle-Snakes,  which  are  extraordinary 
venomous,  but  never  bite  unless  they  are  hurt.  There  are 
thousands  of  wild  Bullocks,  larger  than  ours,  their  Flesh 

1  Knapsack,  in  modern  parlance. 


36  French  Bookseller  to  Reader. 

good,  and  instead  of  Hair,  they  have  a  Sort  of  curl'd  Wool 
extraordinary  fine.  There  are  Abundance  of  Deer,  wild 
Goats  and  all  Sorts  of  wild  Fowl,  and  more  especially  of 
Turkeys.  As  there  are  Poisons  and  Venoms,  so  there  are 
immediate  and  wonderful  Antidotes. 

We  must  not  look  there  for  rich  and  stately  Cities,  or 
lofty  Structures,  or  any  of  those  Wonders  of  Architecture, 
or  the  Remains  and  ancient  Monuments  of  the  Vanity  of 
great  Men ;  but  we  may  there  admire  Nature  in  its  beautiful 
Simplicity,  as  it  came  from  the  Hands  of  its  Creator;  with- 
out having  been  altered  or  depraved  by  Ambition  or  Art. 

But  is  so  vast  and  so  beautiful  a  Country  only  for  Beasts, 
Birds  and  Fishes !  O  inconceivable  Wonder !  There  is  an 
infinite  Number  of  People,  divided  into  Nations,  living  in 
Cottages  made  of  the  Barks  of  Trees,  or  cover' d  with  Reeds 
or  Hides,  when  they  are  not  abroad  at  War,  or  Hunting,  or 
Fishing,  almost  naked,  without  any  other  Bed  but  a  Bul- 
lock's Hide,  or  any  Houshold-Stuff  but  a  Pot  or  Kettle,  an 
Axe  and  some  Platters  made  of  Bark.  They  take  their  Sus- 
tenance, as  it  comes  in  their  Way,  and  like  the  Beasts ;  they 
have  no  Care,  do  not  value  Wealth,  sing,  dance,  smoke,  eat, 
sleep,  hunt,  fish ;  are  independant,  make  War,  and  when  an 
Opportunity  offers,  take  Revenge  of  any  Injury  in  the  most 
cruel  Manner  they  are  able.  Such  is  the  Life  of  those  Sav- 
ages. Tho'  there  be  some  in  the  Southern  Parts,  not  quite 
so  stupid  and  brutal  as  those  in  the  North,  yet  they  are  both 
Savages,  who  think  of  Nothing  but  what  is  present,  love 
Nothing  but  what  is  obvious  to  the  Senses,  incapable  of 
comprehending  any  Thing  that  is  Spiritual ;  sharp  and  inge- 
nious in  what  is  for  their  own  Advantage,  without  any 
Sense  of  Honour  or  Humanity;  horribly  cruel,  perfectly 
united  among  themselves  to  their  Nation  and  their  Allies ; 
but  revengeful  and  merciless  towards  their  Enemies.  To 
conclude,  their  Shape,  tho'  hideous,  shews  they  are  Men; 
but  their  Genius  and  Manners  render  them  like  the  worst  of 
Beasts. 


French  Bookseller  to  Reader.  37 

A  modern  Author,  who  has  liv*d  in  Canada,  and  in  other  La  Hon- 
Respects  has  writ  well  enough,  has  perhaps  fancy 'd,  he  rmght^'f^'^  Jj^^' 
distinguish  himself,  and  be  thought  more  understanding  course 
than  other  Men  in  discovering  the  Genius  of  those  People,  "^*'^ ^h^^e' 
by  assigning  more  Ingenuity  and  Penetration  to  the  Sav-  he  renders 
ages,  than  is  generally  allow'd  them.    He  sometimes  makes  '"^"^^j^,^^ 
them  to  argue  too  strongly  and  too  subtilely  against  the 
Mysteries  of  Christian  Religion,  and  his  Relation  has  given 
just  Occasion  to  suspect,  that  he  is  himself  the  Libertine  and 
Talking  Savage,  to  whom  he  has  given  the  artful  Malignity 
of  his  Notions  and  Arguments. 

As  for  the  Genius  of  the  Savages,  I  am  of  Opinion,  we 
ought  to  believe  the  Missioners ;  for  they  are  not  less  capable 
than  other  Men  to  discover  the  Truth,  and  they  have  at  least 
as  much  Probity  to  make  it  known.  It  is  likely,  that  they, 
who  have  for  an  hundred  Years  past,  wholly  apply' d  them- 
selves, according  to  the  Duty  of  their  Function,'  to  study 
those  poor  Images  of  Men,  should  not  be  acquainted  with 
them?  Or  would  not  their  Conscience  have  check'd  them, 
had  they  told  a  Lye  in  that  Particular?  Now  all  the  Mis- 
sioners agree,  that  allowing  there  are  some  Barbarians  less 
wicked  and  brutal  than  the  rest;  yet  there  are  none  good, 
nor  thoroughly  capable  of  such  Things  as  are  above  the 
Reach  of  our  Senses ;  and  that  whatsoever  they  are,  there  is 
no  relying  on  them ;  there  is  always  cause  to  suspect  them,  The  Na- 
and  in  short,  before  a  Savage  can  be  made  a  Christian,  it  is  p'^^^^l 
requisite  to  make  him  a  Man ;  and  we  look  upon  those  brutal. 
Savages  as  Men,  who  have  neither  King  nor  Law,  and  what 
is  most  deplorable,  no  God ;  for  if  we  rightly  examine  their 
Sentiments  and  their  Actions,  it  does  not  appear  that  they 
have  any  Sort  of  Religion,  or  well  formed  Notion  of  a  Deity. 
If  some  of  them,  upon  certain  Occasions,  do  sometimes  own 
a  First  or  Sovereign  Being,  or  do  pay  some  Veneration  to 
the  Sun.  As  to  the  first  Article,  they  deliver  themselves  in 
such  a  confuse  Manner,  and  with  so  many  Contradictions 
and  Extravagancies,  that  it  plainly  appears,  they  neither 


38  French  Bookseller  to  Reader. 

know  nor  believe  anything  of  it ;  and  as  for  the  second,  it  is 
only  a  bare  Custom,  without  any  serious  Reflection  on  their 
Part. 

A  miserable  Nation,  more  void  of  the  Light  of  Heaven, 
and  even  that  of  Nature,  than  so  many  other  Nations  in  the 
East  Indies  J  who,  tho'  brutal  and  stupid  as  to  the  Knowl- 
edge of  the  Deity,  yet  are  not  without  some  Sort  of  Wor- 
ship, and  have  their  Hermits  and  Fakirs  who  endeavour  by 
the  Practice  of  horrid  Penances,  to  gain  the  Favour  of  that 
Godhead,  and  thereby  shew  they  have  some  real  Notion  of 
it.  Nothing  of  that  Sort  is  to  be  found  among  our  Ameri- 
can Savages,  and  in  Conclusion,  it  may  be  said  of  them  in 
General,  that  they  are  a  People  without  a  God. 

Our  French,  who  are  born  in  Canada  all  of  them  well 
shaped,  and  Men  of  Sense  and  Worth,  cannot  endure  to 
have  their  Savages  thus  run  down.  They  aflirm  they  are 
like  other  Men,  and  only  want  Education  and  being  im- 
proved ;  but  besides  that  we  may  believe  they  say  so  to  save 
the  Honour  of  their  Country,  we  advance  nothing  here  but 
what  is  grounded  on  the  Report  of  many  able  and  worthy 
Persons,  who  have  writ  of  it,  after  being  well  informed  on 
the  Spot.  We  are  therefore  apt  to  believe,  that  there  is  a 
Distinction  to  be  made  at  present  between  two  Sorts  of  Sav- 
ages in  Canada,  -viz.  those  who  have  been  conversant  among 
the  Europeans  for  sixty  or  eighty  Years  past,  and  the  others 
who  are  daily  discovered;  and  it  is  of  the  latter  that  we 
speak  here  more  particularly,  and  to  whom  we  assign  all 
those  odious  and  wretched  Qualities  of  the  Savages  of 
North  America ;  for  it  is  well  known,  that  the  first  Sort  of 
them,  as  for  Instance,  the  Hurons,  the  Algonquins,  the  Iro- 
quois, the  Illinois  and  perhaps  some  others  are  now  pretty 
well  civiliz'd,  so  that  their  Reason  begins  to  clear  up,  and 
they  may  become  capable  of  Instruction. 

Amazing  and  incomprehensible,  but  at  the  same  Time 
adorable  Disposition  of  Divine  Providence!  We  see  here 
a  vast  Tract  of  the  Earth,  of  an  immense  Extent,  of  a  won- 
derful Soil  for  Tillage  and  Fertility  in  all  Sorts  of  Fruit 


French  Bookseller  to  Reader.  39 

and  Grain;  of  an  admirable  Temperature  as  to  the  Air, 
which  appears  by  the  very  numerous  Inhabitants  being 
scarce  subject  to  any  Diseases,  and  in  that  the  Sex,  which 
among  us  is  weak,  is  there  Strong  and  Vigorous,  bringing  Strong 
forth  their  Children  with  little  or  no  Pain,  and  suckling  ^*"^**' 
them  amidst  Labour  and  Fatigues,  without  any  of  those 
Miseries  they  are  liable  to  in  our  Countries.  Yet  that  vast 
and  beautiful  Country,  describ'd  in  this  Journal,  so  much 
favour' d  with  Worldly  Blessings,  has  been  for  so  many 
Ages  destitute  of  the  Heavenly. 

The  infinite  Numbers  of  People  inhabiting  it  are  Men, 
and  have  scarce  any  thing  but  the  Shape;  they  are  God's 
Creatures,  and  do  not  so  much  as  know,  much  less  serve 
him.  Those  who  have  the  Courage  and  Boldness  to  travell 
through  the  Countries  of  such  Savages,  and  those  who  read 
the  Relations  of  such  Travellers,  ought  to  take  Care  how 
they  make  any  rash  Reflections  upon  this  Point,  or  pry  too 
deeply  into  it;  for  they  may  chance  to  lose  themselves  in 
their  Thoughts.  The  shortest  and  the  safest  Course  is,  in 
such  Cases,  to  adore  the  inconceivable  Profoundness  of  the 
Creator's  Wisdom;  to  give  a  Check  to  all  our  Enquiries 
and  Curiosities,  with  the  Apostle's  Exclamation,  O  the 
Depth  of  the  Riches  both  of  the  Wisdom  and  Knowledge 
of  God!  How  unsearchable  are  his  Judgments  and  his 
Ways  past  Ending,  out!  And  never  ceasing  to  return 
Thanks  to  his  Goodness,  for  having  so  abundantly  supply'd 
us  with  his  Light  and  Grace,  to  conjure  him  to  impart  the 
same  to  those  poor  distress'd  Americans,  and  that  he  who 
is  Almighty,  will  of  those  Stones  make  Children  of  Abra- 
ham. This  all  Christians  are  oblig'd  incessantly  to  pray 
for,  because  as  Brutish  and  Stupid  as  those  Savages  are, 
they  are  still  our  Brethren,  since  like  us  descended  from 
Adam  and  Noah, 

How  much  are  we  then  oblig'd  to  those  bold  Travellers, 
who  undertake  new  Discoveries,  who  to  the  Hazard  of  their 
Lives,  at  their  own  Expence,  and  with  such  extraordinary 
Toils,  go  to  find  out  for  us,  not  only  numerous  Objects  of 


40  French  Bookseller  to  Reader, 

our  Curiosity  and  Admiration,  which  were  before  unknown 
to  us,  but  who  also  discover  to  us  a  numerous  Kindred, 
which  is  not  ever  the  less  such,  for  having  been  so  long  un- 
known to  us.  What  if  it  be  brutal  and  indocible,  it  will  be 
the  more  Meritorious  to  Labour  at  Civilizing  of  and  mak- 
ing it  capable  of  receiving  the  Lights  of  Reason  and  of 
Faith.  We  can  never  sufficiently  express  our  Gratitude  to 
those  who  apply  themselves  to  the  making  of  new  Discov- 
eries; the  more  Difficulties  that  attend  them,  the  more  we 
are  beholding  to  those  who  undertake  them.  Supposing 
that  Avarice,  Ambition,  a  restless  Temper,  or  a  desperate 
Fortune,  are  very  often  the  Occasions  of  such  Undertak- 
ings ;  yet  God,  who  can  draw  Good  out  of  Evil,  makes  all 
those  Passions  subservient  to  his  Glory,  and  the  Salvation 
of  his  Elect,  and  if  long  Travels  do  not  commonly  make 
Saints  of  the  Travellers,  it  is  their  own  Fault.  However, 
they  at  least  prepare  the  Way  to  the  Sanctification  of  so 
many  Barbarians,  beating  a  Road  for  the  Missioners,  who 
go  to  instruct  those  People.  Thus  all  the  World  is  beholden 
to  them ;  the  Savages  for  the  Knowledge  of  God  that  is  pro- 
cured them;  and  we  for  finding  by  their  Means  an  infinite 
Number  of  People  before  unknown,  who  will  join  with  us 
in  Serving  and  Glorifying  the  Creator  of  the  Universe. 

Granting  that  the  said  Travellers  are  not  sometimes  ex- 
act, or  agree  among  themselves  in  their  Relations,  their 
Descriptions  and  their  Maps;  this  must  be  an  unavoidable 
Fault  in  Discoverers ;  but  even  that  is  advantageous  to  the 
Publick,  for  as  much  as  their  Successors  are  excited  to  ex- 
amine those  Points  more  strictly,  to  correct,  explain  and 
ascertain  those  Mistakes, 

In  acknowledgment  therefore  of  the  Service  done  us  by 
those  Illustrious  Adventurers  and  to  make  them  some  Sort 
of  Amends  for  their  Sufferings,  let  us  transmit  their  Names 
to  Posterity  in  our  Writings;  let  us  applaud  their  Actions 
when  we  read  them,  and  let  us  commend  their  Relations. 
This  here,  most  certainly  deserves  to  be  read  and  com- 
mended, for  it  is  Curious,  Extraordinary  and  Tragical.     It 


French  Bookseller  to  Reader,  41 

is  also,  as  has  been  said  before,  ingaging,  at  this  Conjunc- 
ture, when  there  is  a  Design  of  making  Settlements  in  those 
Countries,  it  mentions,  the  Consequence  whereof  may  be 
most  Honourable  and  Advantageous  to  the  Nation.  The 
Travel  thro'  that  Country  is  one  of  the  greatest  and  most 
full  of  Difficulties  that  has  been  perform'd ;  the  Relation  of 
it  being  made  by  an  Eye  Witness,  and  in  a  natural,  plain 
and  particular  Manner,  deserves  to  be  credited;  but  being 
only  a  Journal,  it  is  not  capable  of  admitting  of  Ornaments 
or  Embellishments.  The  Reader  will  be  pleas'd  to  excuse 
the  Repetition  of  the  same  Words  in  it,  on  Account  of  the 
Impossibility  of  doing  otherwise,  and  will  think  it  enough 
that  the  Barrenness  of  the  Narration  is  made  Amends  for 
by  the  Curiosity  of  the  Subjects.  I  am  of  Opinion  the 
small  Notes  I  have  added  will  not  be  displeasing,  because 
they  explain  some  Particulars,  which  are  not  very  intelligi- 
ble to  such  as  are  not  us'd  to  read  many  Travels. 

After  having  said  the  Good  and  the  Bad  of  this  North 
America,  mentioning  the  Beauty  and  Excellency  of  its  Cli- 
mate and  the  Brutality  of  its  People,  and  recited  the  infinite 
Hardships,  those  who  design  to  travel  must  resolve  to  un- 
dergo, I  am  of  Opinion  it  will  be  proper  to  say  something 
of  the  late  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  who  is  the  principal  Person, 
and  as  it  were,  the  Hero  of  this  Relation,  tho'  having  been 
murdered  by  his  own  Men,  he  fell  the  unfortunate  Victim 
of  the  Discovery  here  treated  of.  It  is  also  convenient  to 
make  known  what  went  before  that,  which  is  contain'd  in 
this  Journal,  and  the  present  happy  Consequence  of  that 
fatal  Enterprize.  Here  follows  what  I  have  of  my  own  par- 
ticular Knowledge,  and  by  what  has  been  written. 

Robert  Cavelier,  commonly  calFd  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  a  Account  < 
Native  of  Roan,  of  a  good  Family,  having  been  educated  in  ^^J*/*s"l[^ 
Piety  and  Learning,  went  over  very  young  into  Canada  and 
took  Delight  in  Trade,  but  more  in  Projects  of  new  Dis- 
coveries up  the  Inland  of  those  vast  Countries.  Intending 
to  settle  there  and  make  that  his  Country,  he  purchased  an 
Habitation  in  the  Island  of  Mont-real,  where  has  been  built 


42  French  Bookseller  to  Reader. 

the  second  Town  of  Canada,  sixty  Leagues  above  Quebeck, 
which  is  the  Capital,  being  also  a  Bishoprick,  and  the  Resi- 
dence of  the  Governor,  the  Intendant  and  the  supreme  Coun- 
cil. There  are  but  only  those  two  Towns  in  the  Country, 
besides  some  Villages.  They  are  both  seated  on  the  great 
River  of  St.  Laurence,  which  coming  from  the  S.  W.  is 
form'd  or  increased  by  the  Waters  of  five  prodigious  fresh 
Water  Lakes,  running  out  one  into  another,  and  through 
them  it  passes  to  run  down  to  discharge  itself  in  the  Ocean, 
at  a  very  spacious  Mouth,  making  Way  for  the  Ships  that 
design  to  penetrate  into  Canada. 

Many  Discoveries  had  been  made  to  the  Northward, 
before  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Time;  because  there  being 
Plenty  of  very  good  Furs,  the  Traders  of  Quebeck  and 
Mont-real,  by  Means  of  the  Adventurers  calFd  Wood-Men,^ 
from  their  traveling  thro'  the  Woods,  had  penetrated  very 
far  up  the  Country  that  Way;  but  none  had  advanced  far 
towards  the  South  or  SoiUth-West,  beyond  Fort  Frontenac, 
which  is  on  the  Lake  Ontario,  the  nearest  this  Way  of  the 
five  great  Lakes.  However,  upon  the  Report  of  the 
Natives,  it  was  supposed,  that  great  and  advantageous  Dis- 
coveries might  be  made.  There  had  been  much  Talk  of  the 
rich  Mines  of  St.  Barbara,  in  the  Kingdom  of  Mexico,  and 
some  were  tempted  to  give  them  a  Visit. 

Something  was  known  of  the  famous  River  Missisipi, 
which  it  was  supposed  might  fall  into  the  South  Sea,  and 
open  a  Way  to  it.  These  Conjectures  working  upon  Mon- 
sieur de  la  Sale,  who  being  zealous  for  the  Honour  of  his 
His  Char-  Nation,  designed  to  signalize  the  French  Name,  on  Account 
of  extraordinary  Discoveries,  beyond  all  that  went  before 
him ;  he  form'd  the  Design  and  resolv'd  to  put  it  in  Execu- 
tion. He  was  certainly  very  fit  for  it,  and  succeeded  at  the 
Expense  of  his  Life ;  for  no  Man  has  done  so  much  in  that 
Way  as  he  did  for  the  Space  of  twenty  Years  he  spent  in 
that  Employment.     He  was  a  Man  of  a  regular  Behaviour, 

^Coureurs  de  bois. 


acter. 


French  Bookseller  to  Reader,  43 

of  a  large  Soul,  well  enough  learned,  and  understanding  in 
the  Mathematicks,  designing,  bold,  undaunted,  dexterous, 
insinuating,  not  to  be  discourag'd  at  any  Thing,  ready  at 
extricating  himself  out  of  any  Difficulties,  no  Way  appre- 
hensive of  the  greatest  Fatigues,  wonderful  steady  in  Adver- 
sity, and  what  was  of  extraordinary  Use,  well  enough 
versed  in  several  Savage  Languages.  M.  de  la  Sale  having 
such  extraordinary  Talents,  whereof  he  had  given  sufficient 
Proofs  upon  several  Occasions,  gain'd  the  Esteem  of  the 
Governors  of  Canada;  and  Messieurs  de  Courcelles,  Talon 
and  de  Frontenac  successively  expressed  the  same,  by  often 
employing  him  in  Affairs  for  the  Honour  and  Advantage  of 
the  Colony. 

The  Government  of  the  Fort  of  Frontenac,  which  is  the  is  made 
Place  farthest  advanced  among  the  Savages,  was  committed  Proprietor 
to  him,  and  he  going  over  into  France,  in  the  Year  1675,  the  Frontenac. 
King  made  him  Proprietor  of  it,  upon  Condition  he  should 
put  it  into  a  better  Condition  than  it  was,  which  he  did,  as 
soon  as  return'd  to  Canada.  Then  came  back  again  to  Paris, 
full  of  the  new  Informations  he  had  gain'd  touching  the 
River  Missisipi,  the  Country  runs  through,  the  Mines,  espe- 
cially those  of  Lead  and  Copper,  the  navigable  Rivers,  and 
the  Trade  that  might  be  carried  on  of  Furs  and  the  fine 
Wooll  of  those  wild  Bullocks,  whereof  there  are  infinite 
Numbers  in  the  Forests.  Being  also  fumish'd  with  better 
Accounts  of  that  Country,  than  the  Fables  that  were  then 
publish'd,  by  the  Name  of  a  Voyage  of  the  Sieur  Joliet,  he 
was  well  receiv'd  at  Court,  and  dispatch' d  with  the  neces- 
sary Orders  for  proceeding  on  his  Discoveries. 

The  great  Reputation  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  gain'd,  HisReputa- 
and  his  mighty  Projects,  occasion'd  a  Jealousy  in  some  and  i^on  makes 
Envy  in  others.  His  own  Countrymen  thwarted  his  De- 
signs; but  he  surmounted  all  those  Obstacles  and  return'd 
into  Canada,  about  the  Year  1678,  with  the  Chevalier 
Tonty,  an  Italian  Gentleman,  a  Person  of  Worth  and  that 
had  serv'd,  whom  he  gain'd  to  his  Enterprize.  He  also 
pick'd  up  in  the  Country  forty  or  fifty  Persons  fit  for  that 


44 


French  Bookseller  to  Reader, 


Source  of 
the  Missi- 
sipi. 

Islinois 
River. 


Expedition,  and  among  them  were  three  Recolets,  whom  he 
carry'd  over  to  ti-y  what  might  be  done  as  to  Christianity 
among  the  Savages ;  he  was  well  acquainted  with,  and  had 
a  just  Esteem  for  the  Virtue,  the  Capacity  and  the  Zeal  of 
those  good,  religious  Men,  who  alone  first  undertook  the 
Mission  into  that  new  World,  and  who  being  seconded  by 
others,  have  carry'd  it  on  there,  with  so  much  Edification. 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  having  spent  two  Years  in  going 
and  coming,  vStill  thwarted  by  those  who  envyM  him  in  the 
Country,  to  such  a  Degree,  that  had  it  not  been  for  an 
Antidote,  he  must  have  dy'd  of  Poison  given  him  by  some 
Villains,  could  not  order  his  Affairs  and  begin  his  Expedi- 
tion till  the  Year  1682.  He  set  out  at  length,  and  to  the 
End  his  Discovery  of  the  Missisipi  might  be  compleat,  he 
caus'd  Father  Hennepin,  a  Recolet,  with  some  others,  to 
travel  to  the  Northward,  that  they  might  find  out  the 
Source  of  that  River,  and  they  found  it,  about  the  50th 
Degree  of  North  Latitude.  For  his  own  Part,  he  pro- 
ceeded to  the  Westward  and  found  the  River  of  the  Islinois, 
which  he  call'd  the  River  of  Seignelay,  and  following  its 
Course,  came  into  the  Missisipi,  where  the  other  discharges 
it  self.  He  then  concluded  he  had  no  more  to  do,  but  to 
run  down  to  its  Mouth,  whether  in  the  South  Sea  or  the 
Gulph  of  Mexico.  All  along  its  Banks  he  found  many 
Savage  Nations,  with  whom,  by  Means  of  his  Presents,  he 
entered  into  Alliances,  and  gave  the  Country  the  Name  of 
Louisiana,  to  honour  the  Name  and  Memory  of  our  August 
Monarch,  in  whose  Reign  those  Discoveries  were  made. 
At  length,  the  Course  of  the  Missisipi  conveyed  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale  to  its  Mouths,  as  falling  into  the  Gulph  of  Mexico 
in  two  Streams,  and  he  arrived  there  in  the  Month  of  April 
1682  or  1683,  f<^i'  the  Dates  of  those  who  have  writ  con- 
cerning it,  make  either  of  those  Years.  He  stay'd  there 
some  Days,  to  take  Observations  and  place  some  Marks 
which  he  might  know  again,  when  he  returned.  Being  sat- 
isfied with  having  found  some  Part  of  what  he  sought,  he 
retuni'd  the  same  Way  he  had  gone,  and  came  again  to 


French  Bookseller  to  Reader,  45 

Quebeck  in  Canada^  in  order  to  go  over  to  France,  and 
thence  to  make  a  Tryal  to  find  that  Mouth  of  the  Missisipi 
by  the  Gulph  of  Mexico,  which  he  had  already  discovered  by 
the  Way  of  Canada,  and  to  secure  it;  for  he  thought  it 
much  more  advantageous  to  know  it  by  the  Way  of  the  Sea, 
than  to  go  thither  by  Land,  because  the  Voyage  through 
Canada  is  much  longer  and  more  troublesome,  and  can  be 
performed  but  once  a  Year,  whereas  by  the  Way  of  the  Bay 
of  Mexico  it  is  not  longer,  but  is  much  more  commodious, 
and  may  be  perfonn'd  in  all  Seasons,  either  going  or  com- 
ing. He  was  also  sensible  that  the  said  Mouth  being  once 
discovered  by  Sea,  afforded  an  easier  and  safer  Communica- 
tion with  Canada,  running  up  that  noble  River,  the  Naviga- 
tion whereof  is  not  interrupted  by  Falls,  nor  Torrents  for 
above  sixty  Leagues  towards  its  Source. 

These  Considerations  mov'd  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  to  take 
another  Voyage  into  France,  where  his  Expedition  having 
been  commended  and  his  new  Project  approved  of,  the  King 
ordered  him  Vessels  to  return  and  carry  on  his  Enterprize, 
the  Particulars  whereof  are  to  be  found  in  this  Journal. 
That  Affair,  so  well  begun,  seern'd  to  promise  very  advan- 
tageous Consequences;  but  it  miscarried  through  the  Per- 
fidiousness  and  Villany  of  that  noble  Adventurer's  own 
People. 

This  is  what  I  have  judg'd  might  serve  as  an  Introduc-  The  other 
tion  to  your  Journal,  if  it  shall  not  be  thought  to  dishonour  Part  here 
it,  you  may  place  it  before  t!ie  said  Journal,  and  that  which  ^^o/X 
follows  at  the  End  of  it,  which  will  shew  how  far  that  great  -^«rf  of  the 
Enterprize   of  the  Discovery  of   the  Missisipi  has   been 


THE 

PREFACE. 

Written  by 

Sieur  de  MITCHELL, 

Who    Methodized   this   Journal. 


Notwithstanding  the  late  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Voyage 
had  a  most  unfortunate  End,  as  to  his  own  Person,  yet  that 
will  not  hinder  Posterity,  from  ever  allowing  him  the  Title 
of  a  most  renowned  Traveller, 

The  History  of  his  Enterprise  will  he  acceptable  to  future 
Ages,  for  laying  before  them,  the  extraordinary  Genius, 
the  invincible  Courage,  and  the  undaunted  Resolution  of 
such  a  Man,  who  could  contrive  and  execute  the  Means  for 
discovering  the  remaining  Part  of  the  World, 

And  in  regard  that  the  Particulars  of  the  Discoz^ery  of 
those  large  and  immense  Provinces,  will  always  be  the 
Object  of  curious  and  understanding  Persons,  it  is  not  to 
he  wonder' d,  that  after  what  has  been  writ  by  Father  Hen- 
nepin, a  Recolet,  the  Chevalier  Tonty  and  some  others,  we 
here  nozv  publish  an  Historical  Journal  of  the  last  Voyage 

[47] 


48  Preface  by  Sieur  de  Mitchell. 

Monsieur  de  la  Sale  undertook  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  to 
the  Country  of  Louisiana,  to  finish  what  he  had  projected  ai 
his  former  Voyage^  had  not  the  Treachery  of  his  own  Men 
cut  him  off. 

This  Journal  of  Monsieur  Joutel,  whereof  Monsieur 
Tonty  makes  mention  in  the  Book  that  ha>s  been  printed  of 
the  last  Discoveries  in  America,  Folio  319,  has  this  peculiar,' 
that  it  exactly  contains  what  hapned  to  Monsieur  de  la  Sale, 
Day  by  Day,  in  that  fatal  Voyage,  since  his  Departure  from 
Rochelle  to  his  death,  and  till  the  Return  of  his  Brother 
Monsieur  Cavelier  the  Priest,  Monsieur  Cavelier  his 
Nephew,  the  Reverend  Father  Anastasius,  the  Recolet,  and 
the  said  Sieur  Joutel,  who  in  Order  to  return  to  France, 
took  that  long  Journey  by  Land,  fro^n  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
to  Canada,  being  a  Tract  of  above  800  Leagues. 

Many  Adventures  of  all  Sorts,  most  of  which  are 
Tragical,  will  please  the  curious  Reader;  and  above  all  he 
will  admire  the  Protection  of  Divine  Providence,  in  Con- 
ducting and  Preserz'ing  that  small  Company  throughout 
those  vast  Regions,  and  among  so  many  barbarous  Nations. 

We  do  not  here  pretend  to  Criticise  upon  the  Work  of 
Father  Hennepin,  or  that  of  Monsieur  Tonty ;  but  even  their 
own  Favourers  cannot  take  it  ill,  that  this  Amthor  does  not 
sometimes  say  as  they  do;  that  he  plainly  delivers  what  he 
saw,  and  that  he  exposes  to  publick  View  all  the  TrutJts  he 
was  an  Eye  Witness  to,  without  magnifying  or  inventing. 

It  is  nevertheless  true,  that  they  may  be  all  excused  as  to 
some  Particulars;  Father  Hennepin  aiid  Monsieur  Tonty 
m^y  have  seen  some  Things,  that  did  not  come  to  the 
Knowledge  of  Monsieur  Joutel ;  but  there  is  a  Fact  of  great 
Consequence  in  the  History  of  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  zvhich 
must  not  be  pass'd  over  in  Silence. 

It  is,  that  Monsieur  Tonty,  in  his  Book  affirms,  that  Mon- 
sieur de  la  Sale  at  length  found  the  Mouth  of  the  Missisipi, 
and  Monsieur  Joutel  asserts  the  contrary,  and  says,  that  is 
so  far  from  being  true,  that  during  his  last  Progress  towards 
the  Cenis,  when  the  said  Sieur  Joutel  was  with  him,  and  had 


Preface  by  Sieur  de  Mitchell.  49 

never  been  parted,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale'^  principal  Care  was 
to  enquire  of  all  the  Nations  they  pass'd  through,  where 
the  Missisipi  was,  and  could  never  hear  any  thing  of  it;  that 
this  is  evidently  made  out,  because  if  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
had  found  the  Mouth  of  that  River,  he  would  infallibly 
have  taken  another  Way,  and  other  Measures,  and  all  the 
Appearances  are  on  this  Side,  as  may  be  seen  in  this 
Relation. 

Hozvever,  this  must  be  said  in  Behalf  of  Monsieur  Tonty, 
that  he  delivered  it  upon  the  Report  of  Monsieur  Cavelier 
the  Priest,  and  Brother  to  Monsieur  de  la  Sale ;  which  Mon- 
sieur Cavelier  might  have  Reasons  to  give  out  they  had  dis- 
cover' d  the  Missisipi,  upon  the  same  Viezvs  as  obliged  him 
to  conceal  his  Brother's  Death. 

Now  in  regard  7ve  shall  see  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  for  some 
time  ranging  along  the  Coasts  of  North  America,  to  find 
out  the  Mouth  of  that  River,  it  will  be  proper  to  inform 
those  who  have  not  seen  his  -first  Voyage,  and  shew  them 
hozv  it  hapned  that  his  Search  prov'd  in  vain,  and  he  was\ 
oblig'd  to  land  in  another  Place. 

After  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  discovered  that  vast  Con- 
tinent, which  is  a  Part  of  North  America,  from  Canada,  by 
the  Way  of  Montreal,  going  up  the  River  of  St.  Laurence, 
then  through  the  Country  of  the  Iroquois,  the  Islinois  and 
others,  all  ivhich  he  calVd  Louisiana,  his  Design  was  to  find 
a  shorter  and  a  safer  Way,  than  that  he  had  Traveled  by 
Land. 

For  this  Reason  it  zvas,  that  having  upon  his  first  Dis- 
covery found  the  great  River,  calVd  by  the  Barbarians  Mis- 
sisipi or  Mechasipi,  according  to  Father  Hennepin,  and  to 
which  he  gave  the  Name  of  Colbert,  guessing  by  its  Course 
that  it  fell  into  the  Bay  of  Mexico,  Jte  resolved  zvith  himself 
to  -find  out  the  Mouth  of  it. 

In  short,  he  ran  dozvn  that  River,  zvith  more  Danger 

and  Toil  than  can  be  imagined,  found  it  parted  into  two 

Streams  and  follozv'd  that  which  was  most  to  the  North- 

zvard,  to  the  Place  zvhere  it  is  lost  in  the  Sea.     He  took  the 

4 


50  Preface  by  Sieur  de  Mitchell. 

Latitude  that  Mouth  lay  in,  and  found  it  was  between  28 
and  29  Degrees  North,  as  Monsieur  Joutel  aifirms  he  heard 
him  say.  He  left  Marks  there,  returned  the  same  Way  to 
Canada  and  thence  into  France,  well  pleased  with  his  Dis- 
covery, zvhich  zvould  have  been  very  glorious,  had  he  suc- 
ceeded in  his  second  Voyage, 

But  whether  he  did  not  take  his  Measures  right,  when 
he  made  his  Observations  ashore,  or  whether  that  River  dis- 
gorges it  self  at  a  Hat  Coast,  and  only  leaves  some  incon- 
siderable Mark  of  its  Channel  for  such  as  come  by  Sea;  it 
is  most  certain,  that  when  he  came  into  the  Bay  of  Mexico, 
he  sought  for  the  same  Mouth  in  Vain,  during  the  Space 
of  three  Weeks,  and  was  obliged  to  go  c^shore  to  the  S.  W. 
of  the  Place,  zvhere  it  really  was. 

Monsieur  Tonty,  in  his  Book,  Fol.  192,,  tells  us,  that  he 
was  present  when  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  took  the  Latitude  of 
the  Mouth  of  the  Missisipi,  at  his  Urst  Voyage,  and  says  it 
was  between  tzventy  two  and  tzveiity  three  Degrees  North; 
hut  that  is  a  Mistake,  which  must  be  assigned  either  to  the 
Printer,  or  Transcriber,  for  in  the  Map  the  said  Mofisieur 
Tonty  has  added  to  his  Book,  he  places  the  said  Month  in 
about  twenty  six  Degrees  and  a  Half  of  North  Latitude, 
and  there  is  Reason  to  believe  he  errs  in  that  too. 

Monsieur  Joutel  and  some  others  are  of  Opinion,  that 
the  Mouth  of  that  Branch  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  went  dozvn, 
is  in  the  Bay  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  actually  between  the 
twenty  eighth  and  twenty  ninth  Degrees  of  North  Latitude, 
as  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  found  it.  As  for  the  other  Chan- 
nel, the  same  Sieur  Joutel  believes  it  is  farther  towards  the 
S.  W.  and  about  the  Shoals  they  met  with  about  the  6th  of 
January,  1685,  between  the  twenty  seventh  and  twenty 
eighth  Degrees  of  North  Latitude,  when  they  were  sailing 
along  the  Coast  of  the  Bay  of  Mexico,  and  that  those  Shoals 
were  the  Marks  of  a  River  discharging  it  self  there,  which 
they  neglected  to  inquire  into.  If  that  be  so.  Monsieur  de 
la  Sale  zvas  very  near  it,  and  even  pass'd  along  before  both 


Preface  by  Sieur  de  Mitchell.  51 

the  Mouths,  hut  unfortunately,  without  perceiving  them, 
which  was  the  main  Cause  of  his  Death  and  the  Ruin  of  his 
Enterprise. 

To  conclude,  it  must  be  granted,  that  as  the  Return  of 
that  small  Number  of  Persons  from  a  Country  so  remote 
and  through  so  many  Dangers,  is  a  visible  Effect  of  the 
Divine  Protection;  so  it  is  also  an  Effect  of  Heavenly  Jus- 
tice to  have  presen/d  those  Witnesses,  and  to  have  brought 
them  Howe  into  Monsieur  de  la  Sale'^  Country,  to  retrieve 
his  Reputation,  which  had  been  sully' d  by  his  Enemies. 

Monsieur  de  la  Sale  would  have  been  taken  for  a 
Dreamer,  and  even  for  an  Impostor;  his  Enterprise  had 
been  condemned,  and  his  Memory  blasted;  but  God  would 
not  permit  the  Honour  of  a  Man  of  such  singular  Merit 
to  suffer;  it  pleas'd  him  to  preserve  and  bring  Home  un- 
questionable Witnesses,  who,  by  Word  of  Mouth  and  other 
undoubted  Proofs  of  the  notable  Discoveries  made  by  Mon- 
sieur de  la  Sale,  have  stopped  the  Mouths  of  his  Enemies, 
and  made  out  the  Truth  of  what  has  been  asserted  at  the 
Beginning  of  this  Discourse,  viz.  that  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
only  wanted  good  Fortune  to  secure  him  the  Title  of  a  great 
Man  and  a  renowned  Traveller. 


52  Advertisement, 

Advertifement,  ^o  the  British  Gentry, 

Whereas  all  Gentlemen  ought  to  fit  themselves  betimes  for  those 
Employments  which  naturally  fall  to  their  Share,  preferable  to  their 
Fellow  Subjects;  and  that  they  who  design  in  particular  to  serve  their 
Prince  Abroad,  are  obliged  to  understand  the  Interests  and  Pre- 
tentions of  Foreign  States,  as  well  as  the  Laws  and  Constitution  of 
their  own  Country:  It  has  been  judg'd  very  serviceable,  by  Persons 
of  great  Experience,  to  have  the  most  celebrated  Monsieur  Wicque- 
fort's  Ambassador  translated  into  the  English  Tongue,  as  being  the 
only  Book  that  perfectly  exhausts  this  Matter,  little  being  written 
on  the  Subject  by  other  Nations  in  Comparison  of  the  Italians,  whose 
Books  are  too  defective  and  abstracted  for  common  Practice.  Pro- 
posals will  shortly  be  published,  for  printing  the  said  Book  b^  Sub- 
scription, by  the  Undertaker  Bernard  Lintott  between  the  two  Temple- 
Gates. 

The  Tragedy  of  Jane  Shore,  written  in  Shakespear's  Style,  by 
Nicholas  Row  Esq ;  as  it  is  acted  at  the  Queen's  Theatre  in  the  Hay- 
Market,    pr.  I  s.  6  d. 

The  Rape  of  the  Lock,  an  heroick  comical  Poem,  in  5  Canto's,  with 
6  Copper  Plates,  by  Mr.  Pope.    pr.  i  s. 

The  Works  of  Monsieur  de  Moliere,  translated,  in  6  Vols.  12s. 
printed  on  fine  Paper  and  new  Elziver  Letter. 

The  Clergy-man's  Recreation,  shewing  the  Pleasure  and  Profit  of 
the  Art  of  Gard'ning.  By  John  Lawrence.  A.  M.  Rector  of  Yelvertost 
in  Northamptonshire,  and  sometime  Fellow  of  Clare-Hall  in  Cam- 
bridge. 

Miscellaneous  Poems  and  Translations  by  several  Hands,  particu- 
larly, the  first  Book  of  Statins  his  Thebais  translated.  The  Fable  of 
Vertumnus  and  Pomoua,  from  the  14th  Book  of  Ovid's  Metamorphosis. 
To  a  young  Lady;  with  the  Works  of  Voiture.  On  Silence.  To  the 
Author  of  a  Poem  entitled  Successio.  The  Rape  of  the  Lock.  An 
Ode  for  Musick  on  St.  Cecilia's  Day.  Windsor  Forest.  To  the  Right 
Honourable  George  Ld.  Lansdown.  An  Essay  on  Criticism.  An 
Epigram  upon  Two  or  Three.    All  written  by  Mr.  Pope. 


AN 

Historical    Journal 

OF    THE 

Late  Monfieur  de  la  Sales 

LAST 

VOYAGE 

INTO 

North    America 

To  Difcover  the 

River  MISSISIPL 


At  the  Time  when  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  was  preparing  jt  is  Mr. 

for  his  last  Vo3^as:e  into  North  America,  I  happen'd  to  be  Joutel 

7-.  ,      -r-.i  1  ,  ,  X  1      ,    r  1    •       th(H  speaks 

at  Roan,  the  Place  where  he  and  I  were  both  born,  benig  ,„  this 

retum'd  from  the  Army,  where  I  had  served  sixteen  or  sev-  Journal 
enteen  Years. 

The  Reputation  gain'd  by  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  the  Great- 
ness of  his  Undertaking,  the  Natural  Curiosity  which  all 
men  are  possessed  with,  and  my  Acquaintance  with  his 
Kindred,  and  with  several  of  the  Inhabitants  of  that  City, 

[53] 


54 


Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Departure 
from  Ro- 
chel. 


July  1684     who  were  to  bear  him  Company,  easily  prevailed  with  me 
~  to  make  one  of  the  Number,  and  I  was  admitted  as  a  vol- 
imtier. 

Our  Rendezvous  was  appointed  at  Rochel,  where  we 
were  to  imbark.  Messieurs  Cavelier,  the  one  Brother,  the 
other  Nephew  to  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,^  Messieurs  Chede- 
mile,  Plantero^e,  Thihault,  Ory,  some  others  and  I,  repaired 
thither  in  July  1684. 

Monsieur  de  la  Sale  having  provided  all  Things  neces- 
sary for  his  Voyage,  surmounted  all  the  Difficulties  laid  in 
his  Way  by  several  ill-minded  Persons,  and  received  his 
Orders  from  Monsieur  Arnotdt,  the  Intendant  at  Rochel, 
pursuant  to  those  he  had  received  from  the  King,  we  sailed 
on  the  24th  of  July,  1684,^  being  twenty  four  Vessels,  four 
of  them  for  our  Voyage,  and  the  others  for  the  Islands  and 
Canada. 

The  four  Vessels  appointed  for  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's 
Enterprize,  had  on  Board  about  two  hundred  and  eighty 
persons,  including  the  Crews ;  of  which  Number  there  were 
one  hundred  Soldiers,  with  their  Officers,  one  Talon,  with 
his  Canada  Family,  about  thirty  Voluntiers,  some  young 
Women,  and  the  rest  hired  People  and  Workmen  of  all 
Sorts,  requisite  for  making  of  a  Settlement. 

Ships.  The  first  of  the  four  Vessels  was  a  Man  of  War,  caird 

le  Joly,  of  about  thirty  six  or  forty  Guns,  commanded  by 
Monsieur  de  Beaujeu,  on  which  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  his 
Brother  the  Priest,  two  Recolet  Fi*yars,  Messieurs  Dainma- 
ville  and  Chedeville,  Priests,  and  I  imbark'd.  The  next 
was  a  little  Frigate,  carrying  six  Guns,  which  the  King  had 
given  to  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  commanded  by  two  Masters ; 
a  Flyboat  of  about  three  hundred  Tuns  Burden,  belonging 
to  the  Sieur  Massiot,  Merchant  at  Rochel,  commanded  by 


Persons 
that   went. 


1  The  Fr.  reads  thus,  "  rum  frere  &  les  autres  neveus  de  .  .  ." — 
the  one  a  brother  of  M.  de  La  Salle,  the  others  his  nephews.  There 
evidently  were  two  nephews,  named  Cavalier  —  the  name  of  La  Salle's 
family;  although  in  this  journal  the  elder  nephew  is  generally  styled 
M.  Moranget. 

2  Cavalier  gives  the  date  as  23d  or  24th  July. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  55 

the  Sieiir  Aigron,  and  laden  with  all  the  Effects  Monsieur  Aug.  1684 
de  la  Sale  had  thought  necessary  for  his  Settlement,  and  a 
small  Ketch,  on  which  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  imbark'd 
thirty  Tuns  of  Ammunition,  and  some  Commodities  de- 
signed for  Santo  Domingo} 

All  the  Fleet,  being  under  the  Command  of  Monsieur  de 
Beaujeii,  was  order'd  to  keep  together  as  far  as  Cape  Finis- 
terre,  whence  each  was  to  follow  his  own  Course;  but  this 
was  prevented  by  an  unexpected  Accident.  We  were  come 
into  45  Degrees  22,  Minutes  of  North  Latitude,  and  about 
50  Leagues  from  Rochel,  when  the  Boltsprit  of  our  Ship, 
the  Joly,  on  a  sudden,  broke  short,  which  obliged  us  to 
strike  all  our  other  Sails,  and  cut  all  the  Rigging  the  broken  Boltsprit 
Boltsprit  hung  by.  lost. 

Every  man  reflected  on  this  Accident  according  to  his 
Inclination.  Some  were  of  Opinion  it  was  a  Contrivance; 
and  it  was  debated  in  Council,  Whether  we  should  proceed 
to  Portugal,  or  return  to  Rochel,  or  Rochfort;  but  the  latter  Return  to 
Resolution  prevail'd.  The  other  Ships  designed  for  the  Rochfort. 
Islands  and  Canada,  parted  from  us,  and  held  on  their 
Course.  We  made  back  for  the  River  of  Rochfort,  whither 
the  other  three  Vessels  follow' d  us,  and  a  Boat  was  sent  in, 
to  acquaint  the  Intendant  with  this  Accident.  The  Boat 
returned  some  Hours  after,  towing  along  a  Boltsprit,  which 
was  soon  set  in  its  Place,  and  after  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had 
confer'd  with  the  Intendant,  he  left  that  Place  on  the  first  of 
August,  1684. 

We  saird  again,  steering  W.  and  by  S.  and  on  the  8th  Cape  Fi- 
of  the  same  Month  weathered  Cape  Finisterre,  which  is  in 
43  Degrees  of  North  Latitude,  without  meeting  any  Thing 
remarkable.  The  12th,  we  were  in  the  Latitude  of  Lisbon, 
or  about  39  Degrees  North.  The  i6th,  we  were  in  36  De- 
grees, the  Latitude  of  the  Streights,  and  the  20th,  discov- 
ered the  Island  Madera,  which  is  in  32  Degrees,  and  where  Madera. 

^  Fr.  "  30  tonneux  des  Munitiens  ou  Marchandises,  qui  estoit  f retee 
pour  S.  Domingae  " — thirty  casks  of  munitions  or  commodities  which 
were  intended  for  Santo  Domingo. 


56  Monsieur  de  la  Salens  Second  Voyage 

Aug.  1684      Monsieur  de  Beaujeu  proposed  to  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  to 

anchor,  and  take  in  Water  and  some  Refreshments. 
Difference         Monsieur  de  la  Sale  was  not  of  that  Mind,  on  Account 
^C^mm-^^  that  we  had  been  but  twenty  one  Days  from  France,  had 
ders.  sufficient  Store  of  Water,  ought  to  have  taken  aboard  Re- 

freshments enough,  and  it  would  be  a  Loss  of  eight  or  ten 
Days^  to  no  Purpose ;  besides,  that  our  Enterprize  required 
Secrecy,  whereas  the  Spaniards  might  get  some  Informa- 
tion, by  Means  of  the  People  of  that  Island,  which  was  not 
agreeable  to  the  King's  Intention. 

This  Answer  was  not  acceptable  to  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu, 
or  the  other  Officers,  nor  even  to  the  Ships  Crew,  who  mut- 
ter'd  at  it  very  much,  and  it  went  so  far,  that  a  Passenger, 
caird  Paget,  a  Hugonet  of  Rochel,  had  the  Insolence  to 
talk  to  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  in  a  very  passionate  and  disre- 
spectful Manner,  so  that  he  was  fain  to  make  his  Complaint 
to  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu,  and  ask  of  him.  Whether  he  had 
given  any  Incouragement  to  such  a  Fellow  to  talk  to  him 
after  that  Manner.  Monsieur  Beaujeu  made  him  no  Sat- 
isfaction. These  Misunderstandings,  with  some  others 
which  happen'd  before,  being  no  Way  advantageous  to  his 
Majesty's  Service,  laid  the  Foundation  of^  those  tragical 
Events,  which  afterwards  put  an  unhappy  End  to  Mon- 
sieur de  la  Sale's  Life  and  Undertaking,  and  occasion'd  our 
Ruin. 
Flying  However,  it  was  resolv'd  not  to  come  to  an  Anchor  at 

^"^-  that  Island,  whereupon  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu  said.  That 

since  it  was  so,  we  should  put  in  no  where  but  at  the  Island 
of  Santo  Domingo.  We  held  on  our  Course,  weather'd  the 
Island  of  Madera,  and  began  to  see  those  little  flying 
Fishes,  which  to  escape  the  Dorados,  or  Gilt-Heads,  that 
pursue  them,  leap  out  of  the  Water,  take  a  little  Flight  of 
about  a  Pistol  Shot,  and  then  fall  again  into  the  Sea,  but 

1  Fr.  "  sept  ou  huit  jours." —  seven  or  eight  days. 
2/7r.  "furent  les  secrettes  semences,  que    .    .    ." — which  were  the 
hidden  seeds,  which  "... 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  57 

very  often  into  Ships,  as  they  are  saiHng  by.     That  Fish  Sept.  1684 
is  about  as  big  as  a  Herring,  and  very  good  to  eat. 

On  the  24th,  we  came  into  the  Trade  Wind,  v^hich  con-  Trade 
tinually  blows  from  East  to  West,  and  is  therefore  call'd  ^*"^- 
by  some  Authors  Vent  us  subsolanus,  because  it  follows  the 
Motion  of  the  Sun.  The  28th,  we  were  in  2y  Degrees  44 
Minutes^  of  North  Latitude,  and  in  344  of  Longitude.  The 
30th,  we  had  a  Storm,  which  continued  violent  for  two 
Days,  but  being  right  astern  of  us,  we  only  lost  Sight  of  the 
Ketch,  for  want  of  good  Steering,  but  she  join'd  us  again 
a  few  Days  after. 

The  6th  of  September,  we  were  under  the  Tropic  of 
Cancer,  in  23  Degrees  30  Minutes  of  North  Latitude  and 
319  of  Longitude.  There  Mons.  de  la  Sale's  Obstructing 
the  Ceremony  the  Sailors  call  Ducking,  gave  them  Occa-  Ducking. 
sion  to  mutter  again,  and  rendered  himself  privately  odious. 
So  many  have  given  an  Account  of  the  Nature  of  that 
Folly,  that  it  would  be  needless  to  repeat  it  here;  it  may 
suffice  to  say,  that  there  are  three  things  to  authorize  it, 
I.  Custom.  2.  The  Oath  administer'd  to  those  who  are 
duck'd,  which  is  to  this  Effect,  That  they  will  not  permit 
any  to  pass  the  Tropics  or  the  Line,  without  obliging  them 
to  the  same  Ceremony.  And  3,  which  is  the  most  pre- 
vailing Argument,  the  Interest  accruing  to  the  Sailors  upon 
that  Occasion,  by  the  Refreshments,  Liquors  or  Money 
given  them  by  the  Passengers  to  be  excused  from  that  Cere- 
mony. 

Monsr.  de  la  Sale,  being  informed  that  all  Things  were 
preparing  for  that  Impertinent  Ceremony  of  Ducking,  and 
that  a  Tub  full  of  Water  was  ready  on  the  Deck  {the 
French  Duck  in  a  great  Cask  of  Water,  the  English  in  the 
Sea,  letting  down  the  Person  at  the  Yard  Arm)^  sent 
Word,  that  he  would  not  allow  such  as  were  under  his  Com- 

^  French  original  reads  "  45  minutes." 

2  The  parenthesis  does  not  appear  in  the  French  original. 


S8 


Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Sept.  1684 


Hispaniola 
Island. 


Sombrero 
Island. 


mand  to  be  subject  to  that  Folly,  which  being  told  to  Monsr. 
de  Beaujeu,  he  forbid  putting  of  it  in  Execution,  to  the 
great  Dissatisfaction  of  the  inferior  Officers  and  Sailors, 
who  expected  a  considerable  Sum  of  Money  and  Quantity 
of  Refreshments,  or  Liquors,  because  there  were  many  Per- 
sons to  Duck,  and  all  the  Blame  was  laid  upon  Monsr. 
de  la  Sale. 

On  the  nth  of  September,  we  were  in  the  Latitude  of 
the  Island  of  Santo  Domingo,  or  Hispaniola,  being  20 
Degrees  North,  and  the  Longitude  of  320  Degrees.  We 
steer' d  our  Course  West,  but  the  Wind  flatting,  the  ensuing 
Calm  quite  stopp'd  our  Way.  That  same  Day  Monsr. 
Dainmaville,  the  Priest,^  went  aboard  the  Bark  la  Belle, 
to  administer  the  Sacraments  to  a  Gunner,  who  died  a  few 
Days  after.  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  went  to  see  him,  and  I  bore 
him  Company. 

The  2ist,^  the  Ketch,  which  we  had  before  lost  sight  of, 
join'd  us  again;  and  some  Complaints  being  made  to 
Monsr.  de  la  Sale,  by  several  private  Persons  that  were 
aboard  the  Fly  boat,  he  order' d  me  to  go  thither  to  accom- 
odate those  Differences,  which  were  occasion'd  only  by 
some  Jealousies  among  them. 

The  1 6th,  we  sail'd  by  the  Island  Sombrero,  and  the 
1 8th  had  hard  blowing  Weather,  which  made  us  apprehen- 
sive of  a  Hurracan.  The  foul  Weather  lasted  two  Days, 
during  which  Time,  we  kept  under  a  main  Course  and  lost 
Sight  of  the  other  Vessels. 

A  Council  was  call'd  aboard  our  Ship,  the  Joly,  to  con- 
sider whether  we  should  lie  by  for  the  others,  or  hold  on 
our  Course,  and  it  was  resolv'd,  that,  considering  our  Water 
began  to  fall  short,  and  there  were  above  five  Persons^  sick 
aboard,  of  which  Number  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  and  the  Sur- 


1  In  the  original  Fr.  "  the  missionary  priest." 

2  In  the  original  "Le  12"— the  twelfth. 

3 The  French  original  says  "plus  de  malades "— «.  e.  more  than  50 
sick  people. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  59 

geon^  were,  we  should  make  all  the  Sail  we  could,  to  reach  Sept.  1684 
the  first  Port^  of  the  Island  Hispamolaj  being  that  call'd"" 
Port  de  Paix,  or  Port  Peace,  which  Resolution  was  accord- 
ingly registered. 

The  20th,  we  discover'd  the  first  Land  of  Hispaniola, 
being  Cape  Samaria^  lying  in  19  Degrees  of  North  Latitude,  Cape  Sa- 
and  of  Longitude  308.  The  25  th  we  should  have  put  into  "^ana. 
Port  de  PaiXy  as  had  been  concerted,  and  it  was  not  only  the 
most  convenient  Place  for  us  to  get  Refreshments,  but  also 
the  Residence  of  Monsr.  de  Cussy,  Governor  of  the  Island 
Tortiiga,  who  knew  that  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  carried  particu- 
lar Orders  for  him  to  furnish  such  Necessaries  as  he  stood 
in  Need  of. 

Notwithstanding  these  cogent  Reasons,  Mr.  de  Beaujeu 
was  positive  to  pass  further  on  in  the  Night,  weathering 
the  Island  Tortuga,  which  is  some  Leagues  distant  from  Tortuga 
Port  de  Paix  and  the  Coast  of  Hispaniola.  He  also  pass'd  ^^^o*^^. 
Cape  St.  Nicolas,  and  the  26th^  of  the  said  Month,  we  put 
into  the  Bay  of  Jaguana,  coasting  the  Island  Gtcanabo,  which 
is  in  the  Middle  of  that  Great  Bay  or  Gulph,  and  in  Con- 
clusion, on  the  27th  we  arrived  at  Petit  Gouave,  having  spent 
58  Days  in  our  Passage  from  the  Port  of  Chef  de  Bois,  near 
RocheL 

This  Change  of  the  Place  for  our  little  Squadron  to  put 
into,  for  which  no  Reason  could  be  given,  prov'd  very  disad- 
vantageous; and  it  will  hereafter  appear,  as  I  have  before 
observed,  that  those  misunderstanding  among  the  Officers 
insensibly  drew  on  the  Causes  from  whence  our  Misfortune 
proceeded. 

As  soon  as  we  had  dropt  Anchor,  a  Piragua,  or  great  Sort 
of  Canoe,  came  out  from  the  Place,  with  Twenty  Men,  to 
know  who  we  were,  and  hail'd  us.  Being  informed  that  we 
were  French,  they  acquainted  us,  that  Monsieur  de  Cussy 


^  Fr.  "  les  chirurgions  " —  the  surgeons. 

2  Tr.  "  Francois  " —  the  first  French  port. 

3  Should  be,  as  in  the  Fr.  "  i6th." 


6o  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Oct.  1684.      was  at  Port  de  Paix  with  the  Marquis  de  St.  Laurent,  Lieu- 
~~  tenant  General  of  the  American  Islands,   and  Monsieur 

Begon  the  Intendant,  which  very  much  troubled  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale,  as  having  Affairs  of  the  utmost  Consequence  to 
concert  with  them ;  but  there  was  no  remedy,  and  he  was 
obliged  to  bear  it  with  Patience. 

The  next  Day,  being  the  28th.  we  sang  Te  Deum,  in 
Thanksgiving  for  our  prosperous  Passage.  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale  being  somewhat  recover'd  of  his  Indisposition,  went 
Ashore  with  several  of  the  Gentlemen  of  his  Retinue,  to  buy 
some  Refreshments  for  the  Sick,  and  to  find  Means  to  send 
Notice  of  his  Arrival,  to  Messieurs  de  St.  Laurent,  de  Cussy, 
and  Begon,  and  signify  to  them,  how  much  he  was  con- 
cerned that  we  had  not  put  into  Port  de  Paix.  He  writ  par- 
ticularly to  Monsieur  de  Cussy,  to  desire  he  would  come  to 
him,  if  possible,  that  he  might  be  assisting  to  him,  and  take 
the  necessary  Measures  for  rendering  his  Enterprize  success- 
ful, that  it  might  prove  to  the  King's  Honour  and  Service. 
In  the  mean  Time,  the  Sick  suffering  very  much  Aboard 
the  Ships,^  by  Reason  of  the  Heat,  and  their  being  too  close 
together,  the  Soldiers  were  put  Ashore,  on  a  little  Island, 
near  Petit  Gouaves,  which  is  the  usual  Burial-Place  of  the 
People  of  the  pretended  Reformed  Religion,^  where  they  had 
fresh  Provisions,  and  Bread  baked  on  Purpose,  distributed 
to  them.  As  for  the  Sick,  I  was  order'd  by  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale,  to  provide  a  House  for  them,  whither  they  were 
carry'd,  with  the  Surgeons,  and  supply'd  with  all  that  was 
requisite  for  them. 

Some  Days  after,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  fell  dangerously 
ill,  most  of  his  Family  were  also  sick.  A  violent  Fever, 
attended  with  Lightheadedness,  brought  him  almost  to  Ex- 
tremity. The  Posture  of  his  Affairs,  Want  of  Money,  and 
the  Weight  of  a  mighty  Enterprize,  without  knowing  whom 
to  trust  with  the  Execution  of  it,  made  him  still  more  sick 

1  Should  be"  ship." 

2 In  the  Fr.  "la  Religion  P.  R." 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  6i 

in  Mind,  than  he  was  in  his  Body,  and  yet  his  Patience  and  Nov.  1684 


Resolution  surmounted  all  those  Difficulties.  He  pitch'd 
upon  Monsieur  le  Gros  and  me  to  act  for  him,  caus'd  some 
Commodities  he  had  Aboard  the  Ships  to  be  sold,  to  raise 
Money;  and  through  our  Care,  and  the  excellent  Constitu- 
tion of  his  Body,  he  recovered  Health. 

Whilst  he  was  in  that  Condition,  two  of  our  Ships,  which 
had  been  separated  from  us  on  the  i8th  of  September,  by 
the  stormy  Winds,  arrived  at  Petit  Gounve  on  the  2d  of 
October,  The  Joy  conceived  on  Account  of  their  Arrival, 
was  much  allay'd  by  the  News  they  brought  of  the  Loss  of 
the  Ketch,  taken  by  two  Spanish  Piraguas;  and  that  Loss /^^/c/t  taken 
was  the  more  grievous,  because  that  Vessel  was  laden  with  Spaniards 
Provisions,  Ammunition,  Utensils  and  proper  Tools  for  the 
setling  of  our  new  Colonies ;  a  Misfortune  which  would  not 
have  happen'd,  had  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu  put  into  Port  de 
Pcdxj  and  Messieurs  de  St.  Laurent,  de  Cussy,  and  Begon 
who  arrived  at  the  same  Time,  to  see  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
did  not  spare  to  signify  as  much  to  him,  and  to  complain 
of  that  Miscarriage. 

Monsieur  de  la  Sale  being  recover'd  had  several  Confer- 
ences with  these  Gentlemen,  relating  to  his  Voyage.  A 
Consult  of  Pilots  was  called  to  resolve  where  he  should  touch 
before  we  came  upon  the  Coast  of  America,  and  it  was  re- 
solved to  steer  directly  for  the  Western  Point  of  the  Island 
of  Cuba,  or  for  Cape  St.  Antony,  distant  about  300 
leagues  from  Hispaniola,  there  to  expect  the  proper  Season, 
and  a  fair  Wind  to  enter  the  Gulph  or  Bay,  which  is  but 
Two  hundred  Leagues  over. 

The  next  Care  was  to  lay  in  Store  of  other  Provisions, 
in  the  Room  of  those  which  were  lost,  and  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale  was  the  more  pressing  for  us  to  imbark,  because  most 
of  his  Men  deserted,  or  were  debauched  by  the  Inhabitants  of 
the  Place ;  and  the  Vessel  calFd  V  Aimable,  being  the  worst 
Sailer  of  our  little  Squadron,  it  was  resolved  that  should 
carry  the  Light,  and  the  others  to  follow  it.     Monsieur 


62 


Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Dec.  1684 


Cayman 
Island, 


Island  of 
Pines. 


Alligator 
eaten. 


de  la  Sale,  Monsieur  Cavelier  his  Brother,  the  Fathers 
Zenobrius^  and  Anastasius,  both  Recolets,  Monsieur  Chede- 
ville  and  I  imbark'd  on  the  said  Aimable  and  all  sailed  the 
25th  of  November. 

We  met  with  some  Calms,  and  some  violent  Winds, 
which  nevertheless  carry'd  us  in  Sight  of  the  Island  of 
Cuba,  on  the  30th  of  the  same  Month,  and  it  then  bore  from 
us  N.  W.  There  we  alter' d  our  Course  and  steer' d  W. 
and  by  A^.  The  31st,  the  Weather  being  somewhat  close, 
we  lost  Sight  of  that  Island,  then  stood  W.  N.  W.  and  the 
Sky  clearing  up,  made  an  Observation  at  Noon,  and  found 
we  were  in  19  Degrees,  45  Minutes  of  North  Latitude:  by 
which  we  judg'd  that  the  Currents  had  carry'd  us  off  to 
Sea  from  the  Island  of  Cuba. 

On  the  first  of  December  we  discovered  the  Island  Cay- 
man. The  2d  we  steer' d  N.  W.  and  by  W.  in  order  to 
come  up  with  the  Island  of  Cuba  in  the  Northern  Latitude 
of  20  Degrees  32  Minutes.  The  3d  we  discovered  the 
little  Island  of  Pines,  lying  close  to  Cuba.  The  4th,  we 
weather'd  a  Point  of  that  Island,  and  the  Wind  growing 
scant,  were  forc'd  to  ply  upon  a  Bowling,  and  make  several 
Trips  till  the  5th  at  Night,  when  we  anchor'd  in  a  Creek, 
in  15  Fathom  Water,  and  continued  there  till  the  8th. 

During  that  short  Stay,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  went  Ashore 
with  several  Gentlemen  of  his  Retinue  on  the  Island  of 
Pines,  shot  an  Alligator  dead,  and  returning  Aboard,  per- 
ceiv'd  he  had  lost  two  of  his  Voluntiers,  who  had  wander'd 
into  the  Woods,  and  perhaps  lost  their  Way.  We  fired 
several  Musquet  Shots  to  call  them,  which  they  did  not 
hear,  and  I  was  order' d  to  expect  them  ashore,  with  30 
Musquetiers  to  attend  me.  They  return'd  the  next  Morn- 
ing with  much  Trouble. 

In  the  mean  Time,  our  Soldiers,  who  had  good  Stomachs, 
boil'd  and  eat  the  Alligator,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  kill'd. 
The  flesh  of  it  was  white  and  had  a  Taste  of  Musk,  for 


^Fr.  "Zenobe,"— Zenobius. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  63 

which  Reason  I  could  not  eat  it.      One  of  our  Hunters  Dec.  1684 
kiird  a  wild  Swine,  which  the  Inhabitants  of  those  Islands  'jyiia 
call  Maron,     There  are  of  them  in  the  Island  of  Santo  Swine. 
Domingo,  or  Hispaniola,  they  are  of  the  Breed  of  those  the 
Spaniards  left  in  the  Islands  when  they  first  discovered 
them,  and  run  wild  in  the  Woods.      I  sent  it  to  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale,  who  presented  the  one  Half  to  Monsieur  de 
Beaujeu. 

That  Island  is  all  over  very  thick  wooded,  the  Trees  jsiand  of 
being  of  several  Sorts,  and  some  of  them  bear  a  Fruit  Pines, 
resembling  the  Acorn,  but  harder.  There  are  Abundance 
of  Parrots,  larger  than  those  at  Petit  Gouave,  a  great  Num- 
ber of  Turtle  Doves  and  other  Birds,  and  a  Sort  of  Crea- 
tures resembling  a  Rat,  but  as  big  as  a  Cat,  their  Hair 
reddish.  Our  Men  kill'd  many  of  them  and  fed  heartily 
on  them,  as  they  did  on  a  good  Quantity  of  Fish,  where- 
with that  Coast  abounds. 

We  imbark'd  again,  as  soon  as  the  two  Men  who  had 
stray'd  were  returned,  and  on  the  8th;  being  the  Feast  of 
the  Conception  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  sail'd  in  the  Morning, 
after  having  heard  Mass,   and  the  Wind   shifting  were 
forc'd  to  steer  several  Courses.      The  9th  we  discover' d 
Cape  Corrientes,  of  the  Island  of  Cuba;  where  we  were 
first  becalm'd;  and  then  followed  a  stormy  Wind,  which 
carried  us  away  ^yq  Leagues  to  the  Eastward.     The  loth 
we  spent  the  Night,  making  several  Trips.     The  nth,  the 
Wind  coming  about,  we  weathered  Cape  Corrientes,  to  make  The  Capes 
that  of  St.  Antony ;  and  at  length,  after  plying  a  consider-  ^^j"^*^^ 
able  Time,  and  sounding,  we  came  to  an  Anchor  the  12th,  Antony, 
upon  good  Ground,  in  fifteen  Fathom  Water,  in  the  Creek 
form'd  by  that  Cape,  which  is  in  22  Degrees  of  North  I-ati- 
tude  and  288  Degrees  35  Minutes  of  Longitude. 

We  stayed  there  only  till  next  Day,  being  the  I3th,^  when 
the  Wind  seem'd  to  be  favourable  to  enter  upon  the  Bay  of 
Mexico.    We  made  ready  and  sail'd,  steering  N,  W.  and 

;  1  Corrects  the  Fr.  original,  which  reads  "  12th." 


64  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Dec.  1684  by  N,  and  A^.  N.  W,  to  weather  the  said  Cape  and  prose- 
cute  our  Voyage :  But  by  that  Time  we  were  five  Leagues 
from  the  Place  of  our  Departure,  we  perceived  the  Wind 
shifted  upon  us,  and  not  knowing  which  Way  the  Currents 
'  sate,  we  stood  E.  and  by  N.  and  held  that  Course  till  the 
14th,  when  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu,  who  was  aboard  the 
Joly,  join'd  us  again,  and  having  confer'd  with  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale  about  the  Wind's  being  contrary,  proposed  to 
him  to  return  to  Cape  St.  Antony ,  to  which  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale  consented,  to  avoid  giving  him  any  Cause  to  complain, 
tho'  there  was  no  great  Occasion  for  so  doing,  and  accord- 
ingly we  went  and  anchor' d  in  the  Place  from  whence  wc 
came. 

The  next  Day,  being  the  15th,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  sent 
some  Men  ashore,  to  try  whether  we  could  fill  some  Casks 
with  Water.  They  brought  Word,  they  had  found  some 
in  the  Wood,  which  was  not  much  amiss,  but  that  there 
was  no  Conveniency  for  rowling  of  the  Casks;  for  which 
Reason  Rundlets  were  sent,  and  as  much  Water  brought 
in  them,  as  fill'd  six  or  seven  of  our  Water  Casks. 

The  same  Men  reported,  that  they  had  found  a  glass 

Bottle,  and  in  it  a  little  Wine,  or  some  other  Liquor,  almost 

dead.     This  was  all  the  Provision  we  found  in  that  Place, 

Mistake  in   by  which  it  appears,  how  much  Monsieur  Tonti  was  mis- 

^onST^      inform'd,  since  in  his  Book,  Pag.  242,  he  says,  we  found 

Account  of  in  that  Island  several  Tun  of  Spanish  Wine,  good  Brandy 

the  Voyage.  ^^^  Indian  Wheat,  which  the  Spaniards  had  left  or  aban- 

don'd;  and  it  is  a  meer  Invention  without  any  Thing  of 

Truth. 

The  1 6th,  the  Weather  being  still  Calm,  the  Men  went 
ashore  again  for  five  or  six  more  Casks  of  Water.  I  was 
to  have  gone  with  them,  had  not  an  Indisposition,  which  I 
first  felt  in  the  Island  of  Pines,  and  afterwards  turn'd  to  a 
tertian  Ague,  prevented  me.  Therefore  I  can  give  no  Ac- 
count of  that  Island,  any  further  than  what  I  could  see 
from  the  Ships,  which  was  Abundance  of  that  Sort  of 
Palm-Trees,  in  French  call'd  Lataniers,  fit  for  nothing  but 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  65    ' 

making  of  Brooms,  or  scarce  any  other  Use.     That  day  Dec.  1684 
we  saw  some  Smoaks,  far  within  the  Island,  and  guess'd 
they  might  be  a  Signal  of  the  Number  of  our  Ships,  or 
else  made  by  some  of  the  Country  Hunters,  who  had  lost 
their  Way. 

The  next  Night  preceding  the  17th,  the  Wind  freshning 
from  the  N.  W.  and  starting  up  all  on  a  sudden,  drove  the 
Vessel  call'd  la  Belle  upon  her  Anchor,  so  that  she  came 
foul  of  the  Boltsprit  of  the  Aimahle,  carrying  away  the 
Spritsail-Yard  and  the  Spritsail-Top-Sail-Yard,  and  had 
not  they  immediately  veer'd  out  the  Cable  of  the  Aimablej 
the  Vessel  la  Belle  would  have  been  in  danger  of  perishing, 
but  escap'd  with  the  Loss  of  her  Mizen,  which  came  by  the 
Board,  and  of  about  a  hundred  Fathoms  of  Cable  and  an 
Anchor. 

The  1 8th,  the  Wind  being  fresh,  we  made  ready,  and 
saird  about  Ten  in  the  Morning,  standing  North  and  N. 
and  by  W.  and  held  our  Course  till  Noon;  the  Point  of 
Cape  St.  Anthony  bearing. £ai"/  and  West  with  us,  and  so 
continu'd  steering  North-West,  till  the  19th  at  Noon,  when 
we  found  our  selves  in  the  Latitude  of  22  Degrees  58  min- 
utes North,  and  in  287  Degrees  54  Minutes  Longitude. 

Finding  the  Wind  shifting  from  one  Side  to  another,  we 
directed  our  Course  several  Ways,  but  that  which  proved 
advantageous  to  us,  was  the  fair  Weather,  and  that  was  a 
great  Help,  so  that  scarce  a  Day  pass'd  without  taking  an 
Observation. 

The  20th,  we  found  the  Variation  of  the  Needle  was  S 
Degrees  West,  and  we  were  in  26  Degrees  40  Minutes  of 
North  Latitude  and  285  Degrees  16  Minutes  Longitude. 
The  23th  it  grew  very  cloudy,^  which  threatened  stormy 
Weather,  and  we  prepared  to  receive  it,  but  came  off  only 
with  the  Apprehension,  the  Clouds  dispersing  several 
Ways,  and  we  continu'd  till  the  27th  in  and  about  28  De- 

1  The  Fr.  reads,  "  il  s'eleva  un  gros  meage  au  nord  " — ».  e.  there 
arose  a  great  cloud  to  the  northward. 


66  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Dec.  1684  grees  14  Minutes,  and  both  by  the  Latitude  and  Estima- 
'  tion  it  was  judg'd,  that  we  were  not  far  from  Land. 

The  Bark  call'd  la  Belle  was  sent  out  to  discover  and 
keep  before,  sounding  all  the  Way;  and  half  an  Hour  be- 
fore Sun-set,  we  saw  the  Vessel  la  Belle  put  out  her  Col- 
ours and  lie  by  for  us.  Being  come  up  with  her,  the  Mas- 
ter told  us,  he  had  found  an  Owzy  Bottom  at  thirty  two 
Fathom  Water.  At  eight  of  the  Clock  we  sounded  also, 
and  found  forty  Fathom,  and  at  ten,  but  twenty  five. 
About  Midnight,  le  Belle  sounding  again,  found  only  sev- 
enteen, which  being  a  Demonstration  of  the  Nearness  of 
the  Land,  we  lay  by  for  the  Joly,  to  know  what  Monsieur 
de  Beaujeu  designed,  who  being  come  up,  lay  by  with  us. 

The  27th,  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu  sent  the  Chevalier  d* 
Aire,  his  Lieutenant,  and  two  Pilots  to  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale,  to  conclude  upon  the  Course  we  were  to  steer,  and  it 
was  agreed  we  should  stand  West  North  West  till  we  came 
into  six  Fathom  Water;  that  then  we  should  run  West, 
and  when  we  had  discovered  the  Land,  Boats  should  be 
sent  to  view  the  Country.  Matters  being  thus  agreed  on, 
we  sail'd  again,  sounding  all  the  Way  for  the  more  Se- 
curity, and  about  ten,  were  in  ten  or  eleven  Fathom  Water, 
the  Bottom  fine  greyish  Sand  and  owzy.  At  Noon,  were 
in  26  Degrees^  37  Minutes  of  North  Latitude. 

The  28th,  being  in  eight  or  nine  Fathom  Water,  we  per- 
ceived the  Bark  la  Belle,  which  kept  a  Head  of  us,  put  out 
her  Colours,  which  was  the  Signal  of  her  having  discover'd 
Something.  A  Sailor  was  sent  up  to  the  Main-Top,  who 
descry'd  the  Land,  to  the  N.  E.  not  above  six  Leagues  Dis- 
tance from  us,  which  being  told  to  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu, 
he  thought  fit  to  come  to  an  Anchor. 

There  being  no  Man  among  us  who  had  any  Knowledge 
of  that  Bay,  where  we  had  been  told  the  Currents  were 
strong,  and  sate  swiftly  to  the  Eastward,  it  made  us  sus- 

1  In  the  original  Fr.  28th  degree. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  67 

pect  that  we  were  fallen  off,  and  that  the  Land  we  saw  Jan.  1685 
must  be  the  Bay  of  Apalache,  which  obliged  us  on  the  29th 
to  steer  W.  N.  W.  still  keeping  along  the  Land,  and  it  was 
agreed  that  the  Joly  should  follow  us  in  six  Fathom  Water. 

The  30th,  the  Chevalier  d'  Aire  and  the  second  Pilot  of 
the  Joly  came  aboard  us  to  confer  and  adjust  by  our  Reck- 
nings  what  Place  we  might  be  in,  and  they  all  agreed,  ac- 
cording to  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Opinion,  that  the  Cur-  Currents. 
rents  had  set  us  to  the  Eastzvard,  for  which  Reason  we 
held  on  our  Course,  as  we  had  done  the  Day  before  to  the 
N.  W.  keeping  along  the  Shore  till  the  first  of  January 
1685.  when  we  perceiv'd  that  the  Currents  forced  us  to- 
wards the  Land,  which  oblig'd  us  to  come  to  an  Anchor  in 
six  Fathom  Water. 

We  had  not  been  there  long,  before  the  Bark  la  Belle 
made  a  Signal  that  she  had  discover'd  Land,  which  we 
descry'd  at  about  4  Leagues  Distance  from  us.  Notice 
was  given  to  Monsieur  de  Beaujeiv,  who  drew  near  to  us, 
and  it  was  resolv'd  to  send  some  Person  to  discover  and 
take  an  Account  of  the  Land  that  appeared  to  us. 

Accordingly  a  Boat  was  man'd,  and  into  it  went  Mon- 
sieur de  la  Sale,  the  Chevalier  de  Aire  and  several  others; 
another  Boat  was  also  put  out,  aboard  which  I  went  with 
Ten  or  Twelve  of  our  Gentlemen,  to  join  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale  and  the  Bark  le  Belle  was  order'd  to  follow  always 
keeping  along  the  Shore;  to  the  End  that  if  the  Wind 
shou'd  rise,  we  might  get  aboard  her,  to  lose  no  Time. 

Some  of  those  who  were  in  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Boat,  First 
and  the  foremost,^  went  ashore  and  saw  a  spacious  plain  *^^' 
Country  of  much  Pasture  Ground ;  but  had  not  the  Leisure 
to  make  any  particular  Discovery,  because  the  Wind  fresh- 
ning,  they  were  oblig'd  to  return  to  their  Boat,  to  come 
aboard  again;  which  was  the  Reason  why  we  did  not  go 
quite  up  to  the  Shore,  but  return' d  with  them  to  our  Ship. 

1  In  the  Fr.  "  qui  estoient  devant  nous  " —  and  who  were  ahead  of  us. 


6S  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Jan.  i68s  All  that  coaild  be  taken  Notice  of  was  a  great  Quantity  of 
Wood  along  the  Coast.  We  took  an  Observation  and 
found  29  Degrees  10  Minutes  of  North  Latitude. 

The  Second,   there  arose  a  Fog,   which  made  us  lose 

Sight  of  the  Joly.     The  next  Day,  the  Weather  clearing 

up,  we  fir'd  some  Cannon-shot  and  the  Joly  answered,  and 

towards  the  Evening  we  perceiv'd  her  to  the  Windward  of 

us.     We  held  on  our  Course,  making  several  Trips  till  the 

Fourth  in  the  Evening,  when  being  in  Sight  and  within 

two  Leagues  of  the  Land,  we  came  to  an  Anchor  to  expect 

the  Joly,  for  which  we  were  in  Pain. 

Monsieur  The  Fifth,  we  set  Sail  and  held  on  our  Course  W,  S.  W. 

lieves  here    l^^^i"g"  along  the  Shore  till  about  Six  in  the  Evening, 

was  one  of  when  we  stood  away  to  the  Southzvard  and  anchor'd  at 

^ofthe'^ml  Ni^h^  in  six  Fathom  Water.     The  Sixth,  we  would  have 

sisipi.    See   made  ready  to  sail,  but  the  Pilot  perceiving,  that  the  Sea 

and  what     ^^^^^  astem  of  US,  and  that  there  were  some  Shoals,  it 

follows.        was  thought  proper  to  continue  at  Anchor,  till  the  Wind 

chang'd,  and  we  accordingly  staid  there  the  Sixth  and  all 

the  Seventh.     The  Eighth  the  Wind  veering  about,  we 

stood  out  a  little  to  Sea,  to  avoid  those  Shoals,  which  are 

very  dangerous,  and  anchor'd  again  a  League  from  thence. 

Upon  Advice,  that  the  Bark  la  Belle  had  discover'd  a  small 

Island,  which  appear' d  between  the  two  Points  of  a  Bay, 

Monsieur  de  la  Sale  sent  a  Man  up  to  the  round  Top,  from 

whence  both  the  one  and  the  other  were  plainly  to  be  seen, 

and  according  to  the  Sea  Charts  we  had  with  us,  that  was 

suppos'd  to  be  the  Bay  of  the  JJoly  Ghost. 

The  Ninth,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  sent  to  view  those 
Shoals.  Those  who  went  reported  there  was  a  sort  of 
Bank,  which  runs  along  the  Coast;  that  they  had  been  in 
one  Fathom  Water  and  discover'd  the  little  Island  before- 
mention'd,  and  as  for  the  Sand  Bank  there  is  no  such  thing 
mark'd  down  in  the  Charts.  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  having 
examin'd  the  Recknings,  was  confirm'd  in  his  Opinion,  that 
we  were  in  the  Bay  of  Apalache,  and  caus'd  us  to  continue 
the  same  Course. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  69 

The  Tenth,  he  took  an  Observation  and  found  29  De-  Jan.  1685 
grees  23  Minutes  North  Latitude.     The  eleventh,  we  were  ' 

becalm'd,  and  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  resolved  to  go  ashore,  to 
endeavour  to  discover  what  he  was  looking  for;  but  as  we 
were  making  ready,  the  Pilot  began  to  mutter  because  five 
or  six  of  us  were  going  with  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  who  too 
lightly  altered  his  Design,  to  avoid  giving  Offence  to  brutish 
People.  In  that  Particular  he  committed  an  irretrieveable 
Error;  for  it  is  the  Opinion  of  Judicious  Men,  who,  as  well 
as  I,  saw  the  rest  of  that  Voyage,  that  the  Mouth  of  one 
of  the  Branches  of  the  Missisipi  River,  and  the  same  whose 
Latitude  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  taken,  when  he  travelled 
to  it  from  Canada,  was  not  far  from  that  Place,  and  that 
we  must  of  Necessity  be  near  the  Bay  of  the  Holy  Ghost} 

It  was  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Design  to  find  that  Bay,  Monsieur 
and  having  found  it,  he  had  resolv'd  to  have  set  ashore  Mistake.  ^  ^ 
about  thirty  Men,  who  were  to  have  followed  the  Coast  on 
the  Right  and  Left,  which  would  infallibly  have  discovered 
to  him  that  fatal  River,  and  have  prevented  many  Mis- 
fortunes; but  Heaven  refused  him  that  Success,  and  even 
made  him  regardless  of  an  Affair  of  such  Consequence, 
since  he  was  satisfy'd  with  sending  thither  the  Pilot,  with 
one  of  the  Masters  of  the  Bark  la  Belle,  who  returned  with- 
out having  seen  any  Thing,  because  a  fog  happened  to  rise ; 
only  the  Master  of  the  Bark  said  he  believ'd  there  was  a 
River  opposite  to  those  Shoals,  which  was  very  likely,  and 
yet  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  took  no  Notice  of  it,  nor  made  any 
Account  of  that  Report. 

The  Twelfth,  the  Wind  being  come  about  we  weighed 
and  directed  our  Course  S.  W.  to  get  further  from  the 
Land.     By  an  Observation  found  25^  Degrees  50  Minutes 

^They  must  have  already  passed  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi 
(owing  to  La  Salle's  having  failed  to  determine  its  longitude,  in 
1682,  when  he  had  taken  its  latitude),  and  were  then  sailing  along 
the  Texas  coast,  probably  near  Galveston  Bay,  more  than  400  miles 
westward  of  their  desired  objective.  See  note' to  p.  120,  vol.  ii,  Park- 
man's  La  Salle  (Champlain  edition). 

2  In  the  Fr.  28th. 


yo  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Jan.  1685  North  Latitude,  and  the  Wind  shifting,  and  the  Currents, 
which  set  from  the  Seaward  driving  us  ashore,  it  was  found 
convenient  to  anchor  in  four  or  five  Fathom  Water,  where 
we  spent  all  the  Night. 

The  Thirteenth,  we  perceiv'd  our  Water  began  to  fall 
short,  and  therefore  it  was  requisite  to  go  ashore  to  fill 
some  Casks.  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  propos'd  it  to  me  to  go 
and  see  it  perform'd,  which  I  accepted  of,  with  six  of  our 
Gentlemen  who  offer' d  their  Service.  We  went  into  the 
Boat,  with  our  Arms,  the  Boat  belonging  to  the  Bark  la 
Belle  follow'd  ours,  with  five  or  six  Men,  and  we  all  made 
directly  for  the  Land. 

We  were  very  near  the  Shoar,  when  we  discover' d  a 
number  of  naked  Men  marching  along  the  Banks,  whom 
we  suppos'd  to  be  native  Savages.  We  drew  within  two 
Musket  Shots  of  the  Land,  and  the  Shore  being  flat,  the 
Wind  setting  from  the  Offing,  and  the  Sea  running  high, 
dropt  our  Anchors,  for  Fear  of  staving  our  Boats.^ 
Savages  When  the  Savages  perceiv'd  we  had  stopp'd,  they  made 

came  to  the  Signs  to  us  with  Skins,  to  go  to  them,  shew'd  us  their 
Bows,  which  they  laid  down  upon  the  Ground,  and  drew 
near  to  the  Edge  of  the  Shore;  but  because  we  could  not 
get  Ashore,  and  still  they  continued  their  Signals,  I  put 
my  Handkerchief  on  the  End  of  my  Firelock,  after  the 
Manner  of  a  Flag,  and  made  Signs  to  them  to  come  to  us. 
They  were  some  Time  considering  of  it,  and  at  last  some 
of  them  ran  into  the  Water  up  to  their  Shoulders,  till  per- 
ceiving that  the  Waves  overwhelm'd  them,  they  went  out 
again,  fetch'd  a  large  Piece  of  Timber,  which  they  threw 
into  the  Sea,  plac'd  themselves  along  both  Sides  of  it,  hold- 
ing fast  to  it  with  one  Arm,  and  swiming  with  the  other; 
and  in  that  Manner  they  drew  near  to  our  Boat. 

Being  in  Hopes  that  Monsr.  de  la  Sale,  might  get  some 
Information  from  those  Savages,  we  rnade  no  Difficulty  of 
taking  them  into  our  Boat,  one  after  another,  on  each  Side, 

1  In  the  Fr.  "  notre  chaloupe  " —  our  boat. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  71 

to  the  Number  of  five,  and  then  made  Signs  to  the  rest  to  Jan.  1685 


go  to  the  other  Boat,  which  they  did,  and  we  carry'd  them  carryed 
on  Board.  Aboard. 

Monsieur  de  la  Sale  was  very  well  pleas'd  to  see  them, 
imagining  they  might  give  him  some  Account  of  the  River 
he  sought  after ;  but  to  no  Purpose,  for  he  spoke  to  them  in 
several  of  the  Languages  of  the  Savages,  which  he  knew, 
and  made  many  Signs  to  them,  but  still  they  understood 
not  what  he  meant,  or  if  they  did  comprehend  any  thing, 
they  made  Signs,  that  they  knew  nothing  of  what  he  ask'd; 
so  that  having  made  them  smoak  and  eat,  we  shewed  them 
our  Arms  and  the  vShip,  and  when  they  saw  at  one  End  of 
it  some  Sheep,  Swine,  Hens  and  Turkeys,  and  the  Hide  of 
a  Cow  we  had  kill'd,  they  made  Signs  that  they  had  of  all 
those  Sorts  of  Creatures  among  them. 

We  gave  them  some  Knives  and  Strings  of  Beads,  after  Return 
which,  they  were  dismiss'd,  and  the  Waves  hindring  us  q^!?!^/^  '^*^ 
from  coming  too  near  the  Shore,  they  were  oblig'd  to  leap 
into  the  Water,  after  we  had  made  fast  about  their  Necks, 
or  to  the  Tuft  of  Hair  they  have  on  the  Top  of  the  Head, 
the  Knives  and  other  small  Presents  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
had  given  them. 

They  went  and  join'd  the  others  who  expected  them, 
and  were  making  Signs  to  us  to  go  to  them ;  but  not  being 
able  to  make  the  Shore,  we  stood  off  again  and  return'd  to 
our  Ship.  It  is  to  be  observed,  that  when  we  were  carr}''- 
ing  them  back,  they  made  some  Signs  to  us,  by  which  we 
conceived  they  would  signify  to  us  that  there  was  a  great 
River  that  Way  we  were  pass'd,  and  that  it  occasioned  the 
Shoals  we  had  seen. 

The  Wind  changing,  the  same  Day,  we  weighed  Anchor 
and  stood  to  the  Southward,  to  get  into  the  Offing,  till  the 
14th  in  the  Morning,  when  we  were  becalm'd.  At  Noon, 
we  were  in  28  Degrees  51  Minutes  of  North  Latitude. 
The  Wind  freshned,  and  in  the  Evening  we  held  on  our 
Course,  but  only  for  a  short  Time,  because  the  Wind  set- 
ting us  towards  the  Shore,  we  were  obliged  to  anchor 


Bullocks. 


^2  Monsieur  de  la  Salens  Second  Voyage 

/oh.  1685  again,  whereupon  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  again  resolved  to 
send  Ashore,  and  the  same  Persons  imbark'd  in  the  same 
Boats  to  that  effect. 

We  met  with  the  same  Obstacles,  that  had  hindered  us 
the  Day  before,  that  is,  the  High-Sea,  which  would  not 
permit  us  to  come  near  the  Shore,  and  were  obliged  to  drop 
Anchor  in  fourteen  Foot  Water.^  The  Sight  of  Abund- 
Goais  and  ance  of  Goats  and  Bullocks,  differing  in  Shape,  from  ours, 
and  running  along  the  Coast,  heightened  our  Earnestness 
to  be  Ashore.  We  therefore  sounded  to  see  whether  we 
might  get  to  Land  by  Stripping,  and  found  we  were  on  a 
Flat,  which  had  four  Foot  Water,  but  that  beyond  it  there 
was  a  deep  Channel.  Whilst  we  were  consulting  what  to 
do,  a  Storm  arose,  which  obliged  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  to 
fire  a  Gun  for  us  to  return  Aboard,  which  we  did  against 
Qiur  Inclination. 

Monsieur  de  la  Sale  was  pleas'd  with  the  Report  we 
made  him,  and  by  it,  several  were  encouraged  to  go  Ashore 
to  hunt,  that  we  might  have  some  fresh  Meat.  We  spent 
all  that  Night,  till  the  next  Morning,  in  Hopes  of  return- 
ing soon  to  that  Place;  but  the  Wind  changing,  forc'd  us 
to  weigh  and  sail  till  the  Evening,  when  we  drop'd  Anchor 
in  six  Fathom  Water.  The  Land  which  we  never  de- 
parted from  very  far,  appeared  to  us  very  pleasant,  and 
having  lain  there  till  the  i6th,  that  Morning  we  sailed 
W,  S.  W.  We  weathered  a  Point,  keeping  a  large  Offing, 
because  of  the  Sea's  beating  upon  it,  and  stood  to  the 
Southward.  At  Noon,  we  were  in  28  Degrees  20  Minutes 
of  North  Latitude,  and  consequently  found  the  Latitude 
declined,  by  which  we  were  sensible,  that  the  Coast  tendred 
to  the  Southward.  At  Night  we  anchored  in  six  Fathom 
Water. 

The  17th,  the  Wind  continuing  the  same,  we  held  on 
our  Course  S.  W.  and  having  about  Ten  discover' d  a  Sort 
of  River,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  caus'd  Ten  of  us  to  go  into  a 

"^Fr.  "a  quatre  piez  d'eau"— «.  e.  in  four  feet  of  water. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  73 

Boat,  to  take  a  View  of  that  Coast,  and  see  whether  there  Jan.  1685 
was  not  some  Place  to  land.     He  ordered  me,  in  Case  we 
found  any  convenient  Place,  to  give  him  Notice  either  by 
Fire  or  Smoke. 

We  set  out,  and  found  the  Shoals  obstructed  our  De-  Second 
scent.  One  of  our  Men  went  naked  into  the  Water  to  ^^"^♦'»^- 
sound  that  Sand  Bank,  which  lay  between  us  and  the 
Land ;  and  having  shewn  us  a  Place  where  we  might  Pass, 
we,  with  much  Difficulty,  forc'd  our  Boat  into  the  Channel, 
and  six  or  seven  of  us  landed,  after  ordering  the  Boat  to 
go  up  into  that  which  had  appeared  to  us  to  be  a  River,  to 
see  whether  any  fresh  Water  could  be  found. 

As  soon  as  we  were  landed,  I  made  a  Smoke  to  give 
Notice  to  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  and  then  we  ad  vane' d  both 
Ways,  without  stragling  too  far,  that  we  might  be  ready 
to  receive  Monsr.  de  la  Sale,  who  was  to  come,  as  he  did, 
soon  after,  but  finding  the  Surges  run  high,  he  returned, 
and  our  Boat  finding  no  fresh  Water,  came  back  and  an- 
chor'd  to  wait  for  us. 

We  walked  about  every  Way,  and  found  a  dry  Soil,  tho' 
it  seem'd  to  be  overflow'd  at  some  Times;  great  Lakes  of 
salt  Water,  little  Grass,  the  Track  of  Goats,  on  the  Sand, 
and  saw  Herds  of  them,  but  could  not  come  near  them, 
however  we  kill'd  some  Ducks  and  Bustards.  In  the 
Evening,  as  we  were  returning,  we  miss'd  an  English  Sea- 
man, fir'd  several  Shots  to  give  him  Notice,  searched  all 
about,  waited  till  after  Sunset,  and  at  last  hearing  no 
Tidings  of  him,  we  went  into  the  Boat  to  return  Aboard. 

I  gave  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  an  Account  of  what  we  had 
seen,  which  would  have  pleas'd  him,  had  the  River  we  dis- 
cover'd,  afforded  fresh  Water :  He  was  also  uneasy  for  the 
lost  Man;  but  about  Midnight  we  saw  a  Fire  Ashore,  in 
the  Place  we  came  from,  which  we  supos'd  to  be  made  by 
our  Man,  and  the  Boat  went  for  him  as  soon  as  it  was  day 
on  the  1 8th. 

After  that,  we  made  several  Trips,  still  steering  towards 
the  S.  W.  and  then  ensued  a  Calm,  which  oblig'd  us  to 


74  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Jan.  1685  come  to  an  Anchor.  Want  of  Water  made  us  think  of  re- 
turning  towards  the  River,  where  we  had  been  the  Day 
before.  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  resolved  to  set  a  considerable 
Number  of  Men  Ashore,  with  sufficient  Ammunition,  and 
to  go  with  them  himself,  to  discover  and  take  Cognizance 
of  that  Country,  and  order'd  me  to  follow  him.  Accord- 
ingly we  sail'd  back,  and  came  to  an  Anchor  in  the  same 
Place. 

All  things  necessary  for  that  end  being  order'd  on  the 
19th,  Part  of  the  Men  were  put  into  a  Boat;^  but  a  very 
thick  Fog  rising,  and  taking  away  the  Sight  of  Land,  the 
Compass  was  made  use  of,  and  the  fog  dispersing  as  we 
drew  near  the  Land,  we  perceiv'd  a  Ship  making  directly 
towards  us,  and  that  it  was  the  Joly,  where  Monsr.  de 
Beaujeu  commanded,  which  rejoic'd  us,  but  our  Satisfac- 
tion was  not  lasting,  and  it  will  appear  by  the  Sequel,  that 
it  were  to  have  been  wished,  that  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu  had 
not  joyn'd  us  again,  but  that  he  had  rather  gone  away  for 
France,  without  ever  seeing  of  us. 

His  Arrival  disconcerted  the  Execution  of  our  Enter- 
prize.  Monsr.  de  la  Sale,  who  was  already  on  his  Way, 
and  those  who  were  gone  before  him,  retum'd  Aboard, 
and  some  Hours  after,  Monsr.  de  Beaujeu  sent  his  Lieu- 
tenant, Monsr.  de  Aire,  attended  by  several  Persons,  as 
well  Clergymen  as  others,  among  whom  was  the  Sieur 
Cabaret,  second  Pilot  of  the  Joly. 
Command-  Monsieur  d'  Aire  complain'd  grievously  to  Monsieur  de 
^^  9*  la  Sale,  in  the  Name  of  Monsr.  de  Beaujeu,  for  that  said 

he,  we  had  left  him  designedly ;  which  was  not  true,  for  as  I 
have  said,  the  Joly  lay  at  Anchor  A-head  of  us,  when  we 
were  separated  from  her;  we  fired  a  Gun  to  give  her  No- 
tice of  our  Departure,  as  had  been  concerted,  and  Monsr. 
de  Beaujeu  answer'd  it ;  besides  that,  if  we  had  intended  to 
separate  from  him,  we  should  not  have  always  held  our 
Course  in  Sight  of  Land,  as  we  had  done,  and  that  had 

iFr.  "une  partie  s'embargua" — a  party  embarked. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  75 

Monsieur  de  Beaujeu  held  the  same  Course,  as  had  been  /^^  j^g^ 
agreed,  he  had  not  been  separated  from  us.  

There  were  afterwards  several  Disputes  between  the 
Captains  and  the  Pilots,  as  well  Aboard  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale,  as  Aboard  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu,  when  those  Gentle- 
men return'd,  about  settling  exactly  the  Place  we  were  in, 
and  the  Course  we  were  to  steer;  some  positively  affirming 
we  were  farther  than  we  imagin'd,  and  that  the  Currents 
had  carry' d  us  away;  and  others,  that  we  were  near  the 
Magdalen  River. 

The  former  of  those  Notions  prevailed,  whence,  upon  ,„, 

Reflection,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  concluded,  that  he  must  be  the  Mouth 

past  his  River,  which  was  but  too  true;  for  that  River  ^.^.'^^  ^^^' 

...  sisipi. 

emptying  it  self  in  the  Sea  by  two  Channels,  it  followed 

that  one  of  the  Mouths  fell  about  the  Shoals  we  had  ob- 
served the  sixth  of  the  Month ;  and  the  rather  because  those 
Shoals  were  very  near  the  Latitude  that  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
had  observ'd,  when  he  came  by  the  way  of  Canada  to  dis- 
cover the  Mouth  of  that  River,  as  he  told  me  several  Times. 
This  Consideration  prevailed  with  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
to  propose  his  Design  oi  returning  towards  those  Shoals. 
He  gave  his  Reasons  for  so  doing  and  exposed  his  Doubts ; 
but  his  ill  Fortune  made  him  not  be  regarded.  Our  Pas- 
sage had  taken  up  more  Time  than  had  been  expected,  by 
Reason  of  the  Calms;  there  was  a  considerable  Number  of 
Men  aboard  the  Joly,  and  Provisions  grew  short,  insomuch 
that  they  said  it  would  not  hold  out  to  return,  if  our  De- 
parture were  delay'd.  For  this  Reason  Monsieur  de  Beau- 
jeii  demanded  Provisions  of  Monsieur  de  la  Sale;  but  he 
asking  enough  for  a  long  Time,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  an- 
swered, he  could  only  give  him  enough  for  a  Fortnight, 
which  was  more  Time  than  was  requisite  to  reach  the 
Place  he  intended  to  return  to;  and  that  besides  he  could 
not  give  him  more  Provisions,  without  rummaging  all  the 
Stores  to  the  Bottom  of  the  Hold,  which  would  endanger 
his  being  cast  away.  Thus  nothing  was  concluded,  and 
Monsieur  de  Beaujeu  return'd  to  his  own  Ship. 


^6,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Jan.  1685  In  the  mean  Time,  Want  of  Water  began  to  pinch  us, 

Third  '  3.nd  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  resolv'd  to  send  to  look  for  some 
Landing.  about  the  next  River.  Accordingly  he  ordered  the  two 
Boats  that  had  been  made  ready  the  Day  before,  to  go  off. 
He  was  aboard  one  of  them  himself,  and  directed  me  to 
follow  him.  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu  also  commanded  his 
Boat  to  go  for  Wood.  By  the  Way  we  met  the  said  Sieur 
de  Beaujeu  in  his  Yaul,  returning  from  Land,  with  the 
Sieur  Minet,  an  Ingenier,  who  told  us,  they  had  been  in  a 
Sort  of  salt  Pool,  two  or  three  Leagues  from  the  Place 
where  the  Ships  were  at  Anchor,  we  held  on  our  Way  and 
landed. 

One  of  our  Boats,  which  was  gone  ahead  of  us,  had 
been  a  League  and  a  half  up  the  River,  without  finding 
any  fresh  Water  in  its  Channel ;  but  some  Men  wandering 
about  to  the  right  and  left,  had  met  with  divers  Rivulets* 
of  very  good  Water,  wherewith  many  Casks  were  filFd. 

We  lay  ashore,  and  our  Hunters  having  that  Day  kill'd 
good  Store  of  Ducks,  Bustards  and  Teal,  and  the  next 
Day  two  Goats,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  sent  Monsieur  de 
Beaujeu  Part.  We  feasted  upon  the  rest,  and  that  good 
Sport  put  several  Gentlemen  that  were  then  aboard  Mon- 
sieur de  Beaujeu,  among  whom  were  Monsieur  dii  Hamel, 
the  Ensign  and  the  King's  Clerk,  upon  coming  ashore  to 
partake  of  the  Diversion;  but  they  took  much  Pains  and 
were  not  successf  ull  in  their  Sport. 

In  the  mean  Time  many  Casks  were  fill'd  with  Water, 
as  well  for  our  Ship  as  for  Monsieur  de  Beaujeii's.  Some 
Days  after  Monsieur  d'  Aire  the  Lieutenant,  came  ashore 
to  confer  with  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  and  to  know  how  he 
would  manage  about  the  Provisions ;  but  both  of  them  per- 
sisting in  their  first  Proposals  and  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  per- 
ceiving that  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu^  would  not  be  satisfied 
with  Provisions  for  15  Days,  which  he  thought  sufficient 
to  go  to  the  Place  where  he  expected  to  find  one  of  the 


iFr. 


marres. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.     •  77 

Branches  of  the  Missisipi,  which  he  with  good  Reason  be-  Jan.  1685 


liev'd  to  be  about  the  Shoals,  I  have  before  spoken  of, 
nothing  was  concluded  as  to  that  Affair.  Monsieur  d* 
Aire  return' d  to  his  Captain,  and  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  re- 
solved to  land  his  Men ;  which  could  not  be  done  for  some 
Days,  because  of  the  foul  Weather;  but  in  the  mean  Time 
we  kill'd  much  Game. 

During  this  little  Interval,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  being 
impatient  to  get  some  Intelligence  of  what  he  sought  after, 
resolved  to  go  himself  upon  Discovery,  and  to  seek  out 
some  more  useful  and  commodious  River  than  that  where 
they  were.  To  this  Purpose  he  took  five  or  six  of  us  along 
with  him.  We  set  out  one  Morning  in  so  thick  a  Fog,  that 
the  hindmost  could  not  perceive  the  Track  of  the  foremost, 
so  that  we  lost  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  for  some  Time. 

We  travel'd  till  about  three  in  the  Afternoon,  finding  Account  of 
the  Coimtry  for  the  most  Part  Sandy,  little  Grass,  no  fresh     ^    ^^^  ^^' 
Water,  unless  in  some  Sloughs,^  the  Track  of  abundance 
of  wild  Goats,  Lakes  full  of  Ducks,  Teals,  Water-Hens, 
and  having  taken  much  Pains  returned  without  Success. 

The  next  Morning,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Indian,  going 
about  to  find  wild  Goats,  came  to  a  Lake,  which  had  a  lit- 
tle Ice  upon  it,  the  Weather  being  cold,  and  Abundance  of 
Fish  dying  about  the  Edges  of  it.  He  came  to  inform  us, 
we  went  to  make  our  Provision  of  them,  there  were  some 
of  a  prodigious  Magnitude,  and  among  the  rest  extraor- 
dinary large  Trouts,  or  else  they  were  some  Sort  of  Fish 
very  like  them.  We  caused  some  of  each  of  a  Sort  to  be 
boil'd  in  salt  Water,  and  found  them  very  good.  Thus 
having  Plenty  of  Fish  and  Flesh,  we  began  to  use  our- 
selves to  eat  them  both,  without  Bread. 

Whilst  we  liv'd  thus  easy  enough.  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
expected  with  Impatience  to  know  what  Resolution  Mon- 
sieur de  Beaujeu  would  take;  that  he  might  either  go  to 
the  Place,  where  he  expected  to  find  the  Missisipi,  or  fol- 

1  Fr.  "  marres." 


78  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Feb.  1685  low  some  other  Course ;  but  at  last,  perceiving  that  his 
■  Affairs  did  not  advance,  he  resolv'd  to  put  his  own  Design 
in  Execution,  the  Purport  whereof  was  to  land  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty,  or  one  hundred  and  thirty  Men  to  go 
along  the  Coast  and  continue  it,  till  they  had  found  some 
other  River,  and  that  at  the  same  Time  the  Bark  la  Belle 
should  hold  the  same  Course  at  Sea,  still  keeping  along  the 
Coast,  to  relieve  those  Ashore  in  Time  of  Need. 

He  gave  me  and  Monsieur  Moranget,  his  Nephew,  the 
Command  of  that  small  Company,  he  furnish'd  us  with  all 
Sorts  of  Provisions  for  eight,  or  ten  Days,  as  also  Arms, 
Tools  and  Utensils  we  might  have  Occasion  for,  of  which 
every  Man  made  his  Bundle.  He  also  gave  us  written  In- 
structions of  what  we  were  to  do,  the  Signals  we  were  to 
make ;  and  thus  we  set  out  on  the  Fourth  of  February. 
Men  sent  We  took  our  Way  along  the  Shore.     Our  first  Day's 

^discover  '^  Jouniey  was  not  long,  we  encamp' d  on  a  little  rising 
Ground,  heard  a  Cannon  shot,  which  made  us  uneasy, 
made  the  Signals  that  had  been  appointed,  and  the  next 
Day,  being  the  5th,  we  held  on  our  March,  Monsieur  Mo- 
ranget  bringing  up  the  Rear,  and  I  leading  the  Van. 

I  will  not  spend  Time  in  relating  several  personal  Acci- 
dents, inconsiderable  in  themselves,  or  of  no  Consequence, 
the  most  considerable  of  them  being  the  Want  of  fresh 
Water;  but  will  proceed  to  say,  that  after  three  Days 
March  we  found  a  great  River,  where  we  halted  and  made 
the  Signals  agreed  on,  encamping  on  a  commodious  Spot 
of  Ground  till  we  could  hear  of  the  Boat,  which  was  to 
follow  us,  or  of  our  Ships. 

But  our  Provisions  beginning  to  fall  short,  and  none  of 
our  Ships  appearing,  being  besides  apprehensive  of  some 
unlucky  Accident  occasion'd  by  the  Disagreement  between 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  and  Monsr.  de  Beaujeu,  the  Chief  of 
our  Company  came  together  to  know  what  Resolution  we 
should  take.  It  was  agreed,  that  we  should  spare  our  Pro- 
visions to  endeavour  to  go  on  to  some  Place  where  we 
might  find  Bullocks ;  but  it  was  requisite  to  cross  the  River, 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  79 

and  we  knew  not  how,  because  we  were  too  many  of  us,  reh.  1685 


and  therefore  it  was  decreed  to  set  some  Carpenters  there 
were  among  us  at  Work  to  build  a  Httle  Boat,^  which  took 
them  up  the  eleventh  and  twelfth  of  Fehrumy. 

The  13th,  we  were  put  out  of  our  Pain  by  two  Vessels 
we  discover'd  at  Sea,  which  we  knew  to  be  the  Joly  and 
la  Belle  J  to  whom  we  made  our  Signals  with  Smoke.  They 
came  not  in  then,  because  it  was  late,  but  the  next  Day 
being  the  14th  in  the  Morning,  the  Boat,  with  the  Sieur 
Barhier  and  the  Pilot  of  the  Bark  la  Belle  come  up,  and 
both  sounded  the  Mouth  of  the  River. 

They  found  on  the  Bar,  from  ten  to  twelve  Foot  Water,  A  nne 
and  within  it  from  five  to  six  Fathom ;  the  Breadth  of  the  ■^*^^''- 
River  being  about  half  a  Quarter  of  a  League.  They 
sounded  near  the  Island,  which  lies  between  the  two  Points 
of  the  Bay,  and  found  the  same  Depth.  The  Boat  of  the 
Joly  came  and  sounded  on  the  other  Side  of  the  Channel, 
and  particularly  along  the  Shoals,  I  know  not  to  what  Pur- 
pose. The  same  Day,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  for  whom  we 
were  much  in  Pain,  came  also,  and  as  soon  as  he  arrived, 
he  caus'd  the  Boat  to  be  laden  with  such  Provisions  as  we 
stood  in  Need  of,  but  the  Wind  being  contrary,  it  could 
not  come  to  us  till  the  next  Day,  being  the  1 5th. 

That  same  Day,  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  came  Ashoar  to  view 
the  Place  and  examine  the  Entrance  into  the  River,  which 
he  found  to  be  very  good.  Having  considered  all  Particu- 
lars, he  resolv'd  to  send  in  the  Bark  la  Belle  and  V  Aim- 
able,  that  they  might  be  under  Shelter,  to  which  Purpose, 
he  order' d  to  sound,  and  to  know  whether  those  two  Ves- 
sels could  both  come  in  that  same  Day.  Monsieur  de 
Beaujeu  caus'd  also  the  Place  to  be  sounded,  and  lay 
Ashoar  on  the  other  Side  of  the  River,  where  he  took 
Notice  there  were  Vines  which  run  up  the  Trees,  like  our 

^Fr.  "canot"  [thus  explained . in  a  marginal  note:  "Canot;  est  un 
petit  batteau  fait  de  bois,  ou  d'  ecorces,  ou  de  peau  " —  t.  e.  Canoe,  is  a 
little  boat  made  of  wood,  or  bark,  or  hide].    C  C.  edit. 


8o  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Feb.  i68s      Wall  Vines,  some  Woods  and  the  Carcasses  of  Bullocks, 
which  he  supposed  to  have  died  with  Thirst. 

The  1 6th,  the  Pilots  of  the  Joly,  I'  Aimahle  and  la  Belle, 
went  again  to  sound,  they  found  the  Entrance  easy,  and 
gave  it  under  their  Hands.  The  17th,  they  fix'd  Stakes  to 
mark  out  the  Way,  that  the  Vessels  might  come  safe  in. 
All  Things  seemed  to  promise  a  happy  Event. 

The  1 8th,  the  Chevalier  d'  Aire  came  ashore,  to  confer 
with  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  who  being  desirous  to  have  the 
Fly-boat  /'  Aimable  come  in  that  Day,  order' d  the  most 
weighty  Things  in  her  to  be  unloaded,  as  the  Cannon,  the 
Iron  and  some  other  Things.  It  was  my  good  Fortune 
that  my  Chest  stood  in  the  Way,  and  was  also  unloaded, 
but  that  Unlading  could  not  be  done  till  the  next  Day,  be- 
ing the  19th.  That  being  perform'd,  the  Captain  aihrm'd 
it  would  go  in  at  8  Foot  Water. 

The  20th,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  sent  Orders  to  that  Cap- 
tain to  draw  near  the  Bar,  and  to  come  in  at  high  Water,  of 
which  a  Signal  should  be  given  him,;  he  also  order'd  the 
Pilot  of  the  Bark  la  Belle  to  go  aboard  the  Flyboat,  to  be 
assisting  when  it  came  in.  The  Captain  would  not  receive 
him  aboard,  saying,  he  could  carry  in  his  Ship  without  his 
Help.  All  these  Precautions  prov'd  of  no  Use;  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale  could  not  avert  his  ill  Fate.  ^  He  having  taken 
Notice  of  a  large  Tree  on  the  Bank  of  the  River,  which  he 
judg'd  fit  to  make  a  Canoe,  sent  7  or  8  Workmen  to  hew 
it  down,  two  of  whom  return' d  some  Time  after,  in  a  great 
Fright,  and  told  him,  they  had  narrowly  escap'd  being 
A  Company  taken  by  a  Company  of  Savages,  and  that  they  believ'd 
of  Savages.  ^^^  others  had  fallen  into  their  Hands.  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
order'd  us  immediately  to  handle  our  Arms,  and  to  march 
with  Drums  beating  towards  the  Savages,  who  seeing  us  in 
that  Posture,  fac'd  about  and  went  off. 

Monsieur  de  la  Sale  being  desirous  to  join  those  Savages, 
to  endeavour  to  get  some  Information  from  them,  order'd 
Ten  of  us  to  lay  down  our  Arms  and  draw  near  them, 
making  Signs  to  them,  at  the  same  Time,  to  come  to  us. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  8i 

When  they  saw  us  in  that  Posture  and  unarm'd,  most  Feb.  1685 
of  them  also  laid  down  their  Bows  and  Arrows  and  came  xheir 
to  meet  us,  carressing  us  after  their  Manner,  and  stroking  Friendly 
first  their  own  Breasts  and  then  ours,  then  their  own  Arms    ^  ^^^**''- 
and  afterwards  ours.    By  these  Signs  they  gave  us  to  under- 
stand that  they  had  a  Friendship  for  us,  which  they  ex- 
pressed by  laying  their  Hands  on  their  Hearts,  and  we  did 
the  same  on  our  Part. 

Six  or  seven  of  those  Savages  went  along  with  us,  and 
the  rest  kept  three  of  our  Men,  in  the  Nature  of  Hostages. 
Those  who  went  with  us  were  made  much  of,  but  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale  could  learn  nothing  of  them,  either  by  Signs  or 
otherwise;  all  they  could  make  us  understand  was,  that 
there  was  good  hunting  of  Bullocks  in  the  Country.  We 
observed,  that  their  Yea  consisted  in  a  Cry,  fetched  from 
the  Bottom  of  the  Throat,  not  unlike  the  Call  of  a  Hen  to 
gather  her  Chickens.  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  gave  them  some 
Knives,  Hatchets  and  other  Trifles,  with  which  they  seem'd 
well  pleased,  and  went  away. 

Monsieur  de  la  Sale  was  glad  to  be  rid  of  those  People, 
because  he  was  willing  to  be  present  when  the  Flyboat 
came  in ;  but  his  ill  Fate  would  not  permit  it.  He  thought 
fit  to  go  himself  along  with  those  Savages,  and  we  followed 
him,  thinking  to  have  found  our  Men  in  the  same  Place 
where  we  left  them;  but  perceiv'd  on  the  Contrary,  that 
the  Savages  had  carried  them  away  to  their  Camp,  which 
was  a  League  and  half  from  us,  and  Monsieur  de  la  Sab- 
lonniere,  Lieutenant  of  Foot,  being  one  of  those  the  Sav- 
ages had  taken  with  them.  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  resolved  to 
go  himself  to  fetch  him  away,  an  unhappy  Thought  which 
cost  him  dear. 

As  we  were  on  our  Way  towards  the  Camp  of  the  Sav- 
ages, happenning  to  look  towards  the  Sea,  we  saw  the  Fly- 
boat  VAimable  under  Sail,  which  the  Savages  who  were 
with  us  admir'd,  and  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  observing  it  nar- 
rowly, told  us,  those  People  steer'd  wrong,  and  were  stand- 
ing towards  the  Shoals,  which  made  him  very  uneasy,  but 

6 


82  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Feb.  1685       still  we  advanced.    We  arrived  at  the  Camp  of  the  Savages, 

Yh^  which  stood  upon  an  Eminence,  and  consisted  of  about 

Camp.  Fifty  Cottages  made  of  rush  Mats,  and  others  of  dry'd 

Skins,  and  built  with  long  Poles,  bow'd  round  at  the  Top, 

like  great  Ovens,  and  most  of  the  Savages  sitting  about,  as 

if  they  were  upon  the  Watch. 

We  were  still  advancing  into  the  Village,  when  he  heard 
a  Cannon  Shot,  the  Noise  whereof  struck  such  a  Dread 
among  the  Savages,  that  they  all  fell  flat  upon  the  Ground ; 
but  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  and  we  were  too  sensible  it  was  a 
Signal  that  our  Ship  was  aground,  which  was  confirmed 
by  seeing  them  furl  their  Sails ;  However  we  were  gone  too 
far  to  return;  our  Men  must  be  had,  and  to  that  Purpose, 
we  must  proceed  to  the  Hut  of  the  Commander  in  Chief. ^ 
As  soon  as  we  arrived  there,  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  was  in- 
troduced; many  of  the  Indian  Women  came  in,  they  were 
very  deform' d^  and  all  naked,  excepting  a  Skin  girt  about 
them,  which  hung  down  to  their  Knees.  They  would  have 
led  us  to  their  Cottages,  but  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  had  ordered 
us  not  to  part,  and  to  observe  whether  the  Indians  did  not 
draw  together,  so  that  we  kept  together,  standing  upon  our 
Guard,  and  I  was  always  with  him. 
Their  En-  They  brought  us  some  Pieces  of  Beef,  both  fresh  and 
dry'd  in  the  Air  and  Smoke,  and  Pieces  of  Porpois,  which 
they  cut  with  a  Sort  of  Knife,  made  of  Stone,  setting  one 
Foot  upon  it,  and  holding  with  one  Hand,  whilst  they  cut 
with  the  other.  We  saw  nothing  of  Iron  among  them. 
They  had  given  our  Men,  that  came  with  them,  to  eat,  and 
Monsr.  de  la  Sale  being  extraordinary  uneasy,  we  soon  took 
Leave  of  them  to  return.  At  our  going  out,  we  observed 
about  forty  Canoes,  some  of  them  like  those  Monsr.  de  la 
Sale  had  seen  on  the  Missisipi,  which  made  him  conclude 
he  was  not  far  from  it. 

We  soon  arrived  at  our  Camp,  and  found  the  Mis- 
fortune, Monsr.  de  la  Sale  had  apprehended,  was  but  too 

i"Chef"— in  the  French. 
2  Fr,  "  laides  "  —  i.  tf.  ugly. 


terfainment. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  83 

certain.     The  Ship  was  stranded  on  the  Shoals.     The  ill  Feb.  1685 
Management  of  the  Captain,  or  of  the  Pilot,  who  had  not  l*  Aimable 
steer'd  by  the  Stakes  placed  for  that  Purpose ;  the  Cries  of  c^^*  <^^oy, 
a  Sailor  posted  on  the  Main-top,  who  cry'd  amain,  Loof, 
which  was  to  steer  towards  the  Passage  marked  out,  whilst 
the  wicked  Captain  cry'd,  Come  no  nearer,  which  was  to 
steer  the  contrary  Course;  the  same  Captain's  Carelesness 
in  not  dropping  his  Ajnchor,  as  soon  as  the  Ship  touch'd, 
which   would   have  prevented   her  sticking  aground;   the 
Folly  of  lowering  his   Main-Sheet  and  hoisting  out  his 
Sprit-Sail,  the  better  to  fall  into  the  Wind,  and  secure  the 
Shipwreck;  the  Captain's  refusing  to  admit  the  Pilot  of 
the  Bark  la  Belle,  whom  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  sent  to 
assist  him ;  the  sounding  upon  the  Shoals  to  no  Purpose,  and 
several  other  Circumstances  reported  by  the  Ship's  Crew  ^ 
and  those  who  saw  the  Management,  were  infallible  Tokens 
and  Proofs,  that  the  Mischief  had  been  done  designedly 
and  adviseably,  which  was  one  of  the  blackest  and  most 
detestable  Actions  that  Man  could  be  guilty  of. 

This  Misfortune  was  so  much  the  greater,  because  that 
Vessel  contain'd  almost  all  the  Ammunition,  Utensils, 
Tools  and  other  Necessaries  for  Monsr.  de  la  Sale's  Enter- 
prize  and  Settlement.  He  had  need  of  all  his  Resolution 
to  bear  up  against  it;  but  his  Intrepidity  did  not  forsake 
him,  and  he  apply'd  himself,  without  grieving,  to  Remedy 
what  might  be.  All  the  Men  were  taken  out  of  the  Ship; 
he  desir'd  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu  to  lend  him  his  long  Boat, 
to  help  save  as  much  as  might  be.  We  began  with  Powder 
and  Meal.  About  thirty  Hogsheads  of  Wine  and  Brandy 
were  saved,  and  Fortune  being  incens'd  against  us,  two 
Things  contributed  to  the  total  Loss  of  all  the  rest : 

The  first  was,  that  our  Boat,  which  hung  at  the  Stern 
of  the  Ship  run  A-ground,  was  maliciously  stav'd  in  the 
Night,  so  that  we  had  none  left  but  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu' s. 
The  second,  that  the  Wind  blowing  in  from  the  Offing, 
made  the  Waves  run  high,  which  beating  violently  against 
the  Ship,  split  her,  and  all  the  light  Goods  were  carry'd  out 


84  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Feb.  i68s  at  the  opening,  by  the  Water.  This  last  Misfortune  hap- 
pen'd  also  in  the  Night.  Thus  every  Thing  fell  out  most 
unhappily,  for  had  that  befallen  in  the  Day,  Abundance  of 
Things  might  have  been  saved. 

Whilst  we  were  upon  this  melancholy  Employment,  about 
an  hundred,  or  an  hundred  and  twenty  of  the  Natives  came 
to  our  Camp,  with  their  Bows  and  Arrows.  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale  order 'd  us  to  handle  our  Arms,  and  stand  upon 
our  Guard.  About  twenty  of  those  Indians  mix'd  them- 
selves among  us,  to  observe  what  we  had  saved  of  the  Ship- 
wreck, upon  which,  there  were  several  Sentinels,^  to  let 
none  come  near  the  Powder. 

The  rest  of  the  Indians  stood  in  Parcels,  or  Pelotons. 
Monsr.  de  la  Sale,  who  was  acquainted  with  their  Ways, 
ordered  us  to  observe  their  Behaviour,  and  to  take  Nothing 
from  them,  which  nevertheless  did  not  hinder  some  of  our 
Men  from  receiving  some  Pieces  of  Meat.  Some  Time  after, 
when  the  Indians  were  about  departing,  they  made  Signs 
to  us  to  go  a  Hunting  with  them;  but  besides  that,  there 
was  sufficient  Cause  to  suspect  them,  we  had  enough  other 
Business  to  do.  However  we  ask'd,  whether  they  would 
barter  for  any  of  their  Canoes,  which  they  agreed  to.  The 
Sieur  Barbier  went  along  with  them,  purchas'd  two  for 
Hatchets  and  brought  them. 

Some  Days  after,  we  perceiv'd  a  Fire -in  the  Country, 
which  spread  it  self  and  burnt  the  dry  Weeds,  still  drawing 
towards  us;  whereupon,  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  made  all  the 
Weeds  and  Herbs  that  were  about  us,  be  puU'd  up,  and 
particularly  all  about  the  Place  where  the  Powder  was. 
Being  desirous  to  know  the  Occasion  of  that  Fire,  he  took 
about  twenty  of  us  along  with  him,  and  we  march' d  that 
Way,  and  even  beyond  the  Fire,  without  seeing  any  Body. 
We  perceiv'd  that  it  run  towards  the  W.  S.  IV.  and  judg'd 
it  had  begun  about  our  first  Camp,  and  at  the  Village  next 
the  Fire.^ 

^  Fr,  "quatre  sentinelles" — four  sentinels. 

2  Fr.  "  village  porchain  du  lieu  " —  i.  e.  near  the  place. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  85 

Having  spy'd  a  Cottage  near  the  Bank  of  a  Lake,  we  Feb.  1685 
drew  towards  it,  and  found  an  old  Woman  in  it,  who  fled 
as  soon  as  she  saw  us;  but  having  overtaken  and  given 
her  to  understand,  that  we  would  do  her  no  Harm,  she 
returned  to  her  Cottage,  where  we  found  some  Pitchers  of 
Water,  of  which  we  all  drank.  Some  Time  after  we  saw 
a  Canoe  coming,  in  which  were  two  Women  and  a  Boy, 
who  being  landed,  and  perceiving  we  had  done  the  old 
Woman  no  Harm,  came  and  imbraced  us  in  a  very  par- 
ticular Manner,  blowing  upon  our  Ears  and  making  Signs  Odd  Salu- 
to  give  us  to  understand,  that  their  People  were  a  hunting.  ^^^*^'*- 

A  few  Minutes  after,  seven  or  eight  of  the  Indians  ap- 
peared, who,  it  is  likely,  had  hid  themselves  among  the 
Weeds  when  they  saw  us  coming.  Being  come  up  they 
saluted  us,  after  the  same  Manner,  as  the  Women  had  done, 
which  made  us  laugh.  We  staid  there  some  Time  with 
them.  Some  of  our  Men  bartered  Knives  for  Goats  Skins, 
after  which  we  retum'd  to  our  Camp;  Being  come  thither, 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  made  me  go  aboard  the  Bark  la  Belle, 
where  he  had  imbark'd  Part  of  the  Powder,  with  positive 
Orders  not  to  carry,  or  permit  any  Fire  to  be  made  there, 
having  sufficient  Cause  to  fear  every  thing,  after  what  had 
hapned.  For  this  Reason  they  carry'd  me  and  all  that  were 
with  me,  our  Meat  every  I>ay. 

During  this  time  it  was  that  lAimable  opening  in  the 
Night,  the  next  Morning  we  saw  all  the  light  Things  that 
were  come  out  of  it  floating  about,  and  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
sent  Men  every  Way,  who  gathered  up  about  30  Casks  of 
Wine  and  Brandy,  and  some  of  Flesh,  Meal  and  Grain. 

When  we  had  gather'd  all,  as  well  what  had  been  taken 
out  of  the  Ship-wreck'd  Vessel  as  what  could  be  pick'd  up 
in  the  Sea,  the  next  Thing  was  to  regulate  the  Provisions 
we  had  left  proportionably  to  the  Number  of  Men  we 
were;  and  there  being  no  more  Bisket,  Meal  was  delivered 
out,  and  with  it  we  made  Hasty  Pudding  with  Water,  which 
was  none  of  the  best;  some  large  Beans  and  India  Corn, 
part  of  which  had  taken  wet;  and  every  thing  was  dis- 


86  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Feb.  i68s  tributed  very  discreetly.  We  were  much  incommoded  for 
want  of  Kettles,  but  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu  gave  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale  one,  and  he  order'd  another  to  be  brought  from 
the  Bark  la  Belle,  by  which  means  we  were  well  serv'd. 

We  w^ere  still  in  want  of  Canoes.  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
sent  to  the  Camp  of  the  Indians  to  barter  for  some,  and 
they  who  went  thither  observed,  that  those  People  had  made 
their  Advantage  of  our  Ship-wreck,  and  had  some  Bales 
of  Normandy  Blankets,  and  they  saw  several  Women  had 
cut  them  in  two  and  made  Petticoats  of  them.  They  also 
saw  Bits  of  Iron  of  the  Ship  that  was  cast  away,  and 
returned  immediately  to  make  their  Report  to  Monsieur  de  la 

^^:Sale,  who  said  we  must  endeavour  to  get  some  Canoes  in 

Exchange,  and  resolv'd  to  send  thither  again  the  next 
Day.  Monsieur  du  Hamel,  Ensign  to  Monsr.  de  Beaujeu, 
offer'd  to  go  up  in  his  Boat,  which  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
agreed  to,  and  order'd  Messieurs  Moranget,  his  Nephew, 
Desloges,  Oris,  Gayen,  and  some  others  to  bear  him  Com- 
pany. 

No  sooner  were  those  Gentlemen,  who  were  more  Hot 
than  Wise,  landed,  but  they  went  up  to  the  Camp  of  the 
Indiscretion  Indians,  with  their  Arms  in  their  Hands,  as  if  they  had  in- 
of  an  En-     tended  to  force  them,  whereupon  several  of  those  People 
"^*^"'  fled.    Going  into  the  Cottages,  they  found  others,  to  whom 

Monsieur  du  Hamel  endeavor'd  to  signify  by  Signs,  that 
he  would  have  the  Blankets  they  had  found  restor'd;  but 
the  Misfortune  was,  that  none  of  them  understood  one 
another.  The  Indians  thought  it  their  best  Way  to  with- 
draw, leaving  behind  them  some  Blankets  and  Skins  of 
Beasts,  which  those  Gentlemen  took  away,  and  finding  some 
Canoes  in  their  Return  they  seiz'd  two,  and  got  in,  to 
bring  them  away. 

But  having  no  Oars,  none  of  them  knowing  how  to 
manage  those  Canoes,  and  having  only  some  pitiful  Poles, 
which  they  could  not  tell  the  right  Use  of,  and  the  Wind 
being  also  against  them,  they  made  little  Way;  which  the 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  87 

Sieur  du  Hamel,  who  was  in  his  Boat  perceiving,  and  that  March  1685 
Night  drew  on,  he  made  the  best  of  his  Way,  forsook  them 
and  returned  to  the  Camp. 

Thus  Night  came  upon  them,  which  obHg'd  those  un-' 
experienc'd  Canoe  Men,  being  thoroughly  tir*d,  to  go  ashore 
to  take  some  Rest,  and  the  Weather  being  cold,  they  lighted 
a  Fire,  about  which  they  laid  them  down  and  fell  asleep; 
the  Sentinel  they  had  appointed  doing  the  same.  The 
Indians  returning  to  their  Camp,  and  perceiving  our  Men  The  Indians 
had  carry'd  away  two  Canoes,  some  Skins  and  Blankets,  '^*^  ^^' 
took  it  for  a  Declaration  of  a  War,  resolv'd  to  be  reveng'd, 
and  discovering  an  unusual  Fire,  presently  concluded  that 
our  men  had  halted  there.  A  considerable  Number  of  them 
repair'd  to  the  Place,  without  making  the  least  Noise,  found 
our  careless  People  fast  asleep,  wrap'd  up  in  their  Blankets, 
and  shot  a  full  Volley  of  their  Arrows  upon  them  all  to- 
gether on  a  Sudden,  having  first  given  their  usual  Shout 
before  they  fall  on. 

The  Sieur  Moranget  awaking  with  the  Noise,  and  finding  sieurs  Oris 
himself  wounded,  started  up  and  fir'd  his  Piece  successfully  ^dDeAoges 
enough,  some  others  did  the  like,  whereupon  the  Natives 
fled.  The  Sieur  Moranget  came  to  give  us  the  Alarm, 
though  he  was  shot  through  one  of  his  Arms,  below  the 
Shoulder,  and  had  another  slanting  Wound  on  the  Breast. 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  immediately  sent  some  arm'd  Men  to 
the  Place,  who  could  not  find  the  Indians,  but  when  Day 
appear'd,  they  found  the  Sieurs  Oris  and  Desloges  dead 
upon  the  Spot,  the  Sieur  Gayen  much  hurt,  and  the  rest  all 
safe  and  sound. 

This  Disaster,  which  happened  the  Night  of  the  5th  of 
March,  very  much  afflicted  Monsieur  de  la  Sale;  but  he 
chiefiy  lamented  Monsieur  Desloges  a  sprightly  Youth,  who 
serv'd  well;  but  in  short,  it  was  their  own  Fault,  and  con- 
trary to  the  Charge  given  them,  which  was  to  be  watchful 
and  upon  their  Guard.  We  were  under  Apprehensions  for  ^ 
Messieurs  Moranget  and  Gayen,  lest  the  Arrows  should  be 


88 


Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


March  1685  poison'd.  It  afterwards  appear'd  they  were  not,  however 
Monsieur  Morangefs  Cure  prov'd  difficult,  because  some 
small  Vessel  was  cut. 

The  Consequences  of  this  Misfortune,  together  with  the 
Concern,  most  of  the  best  Persons  who  had  followed  Mon- 
sieur de  la  Sale  were  under,^  supported  the  Design  of  those 
who  were  for  returning  to  France  and  forsaking  him,  of 
which  Number  were  Monsieur  Dainmaruille,  a  Priest  of  the 
Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice,  the  Sieur  Minet,  Engineer  and 
some  others.  The  common  Discourses  of  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale's  Enemies  tending  to  discredit  his  Conduct,  and  to 
represent  the  pretended  Rashness  of  his  Enterprize,  con- 
tributed considerably  towards  the  Desertion;  but  his  Reso- 
lution prevailing,  he  heard  and  waited  all  Events  with 
Patience,  and  always  gave  his  Orders,  without  appearing 
the  least  discompos'd. 

He  caus'd  the  Dead  to  be  brought  to  our  Camp,  and 
bury'd  them  Honourably,  the  Cannon  supplying  the  Want 
of  Bells,  and  then  considered  of  making  some  safer  Settle- 
ment. He  caus'd  all  that  had  been  sav'd  from  the  Ship- 
wreck, to  be  brought  together  into  one  Place,  threw  up 
Intrenchments  about  it,  to  secure  his  Effects,  and  per- 
ceiving that  the  Water  of  the  River,  where  we  were,  roul'd 
down  violently  into  the  Sea,  he  fancy'd  that  might  be  one 
of  the  Branches  of  the  Missisipi,  and  proposed  to  go  up  it, 
to  see  whether  he  could  find  any  Tokens  of  it,  or  of  the 
Marks  he  had  left,  when  he  went  down  by  Land  to  the 
Mouth  of  it. 

In  the  mean  Time,  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu  was  prepar- 
ing to  depart:  The  Chevalier  de  Aire  had  many  Confer- 
ences with  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  about  several  things,  the 
latter  demanded  of  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu,  particularly  the 
Cannon  and  Ball  which  were  aboard  the  Joly,  and  had 


Debates 
between 
the  Com" 
manders. 


'^Fr.  "  jointes  au  degout  qui  la  perte  de  notre  navire  avoit  cause 
parmi  la  pluspart  des  honnestes  gens  qui  avoient  suivi  M.  de  la  Salle  " 
—  together  with  the  anxiety  which  the  loss  of  our  ship  had  occasioned 
among  most  of  the  people  of  respectability  who  had  followed  M.  de  La 
Salle.    C.  C.  edit. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  89 

been  designed  for  him ;  which  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu  refus'd,  March  1685 

alledging  that  all  those  things  lay  at  the  Bottom  of  the 

Hold,  and  that  he  could  not  rummage  it  without  evident 

Danger  of  perishing;  tho',  at  the  same  time,  he  knew  we 

had  Eight  Pieces  of  Cannon  and  not  one  Bullet. 

I  know  not  how  that  Affair  was  decided  between  them ;  Mr.  de  la 

but  am  sure  he  suffer'd  the  Captain  of  the  Fly-boat  VAimahle  ^^^^  *^"^^ 

.  wrong  d' 

to  imbark  aboard  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu,  tho'  he  deserved 

to  be  most  severely  punish'd,  had  Justice  been  done  him. 

His  Crew  followed  him,  contrary  to  what  Monsieur  de 

Beaujeu  had  promis'd,  that  he  would  not  receive  a  Man  Mr.  de 

of  them.     All  that  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  could  do,  tho'  so  P^^"J^" 

„  , ,        .  -    leaves  him, 

much  wrong  d,  was  to  write  to  France,  to  Monsieur  de 

Saignelay,  Minister  of  State,  whom  he  acquainted  with  all 

the  Particulars,  as  I  was  inform'd,  when  I  returned,  and  he 

gave  the  Packet  to  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu,  who  sailed  away 

for  France.^ 

Having  lost  the  Notes  I  took  at  that  time,  and  being 
forc'd  to  rely  much  upon  Memory  for  what  I  now  write,  I 
shall  not  pretend  to  be  any  longer  exact  in  the  Dates,  for 
fear  of  mistaking,  and  therefore  I  cannot  be  positive  as  to 
the  Day  of  Monsieur  de  Beaujeu's  Departure,  but  believe 
it  was  the  14th  of  March,  1685. 

When  Monsr.  de  Beaujeu  was  gone,  we  fell  to  Work  to  A  Fort 
make  a  Fort,  of  the  Wreck  of  the  Ship  that  had  been  cast   "*  '* 
away,  and  many  Pieces  of  Timber  the  Sea  threw  up;  and 
during  that  Time,  several  Men  deserted,  which  added  to 

1  Though  evidently  not  altogether  satisfied  in  his  own  mind  that 
he  had  reached  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  La  Salle,  desirous  to 
relieve  himself  of  the  many  complications  and  annoyances  arising 
from  the  strained  relations  between  himself  and  Beaujeu,  decided 
to  land  his  soldiers  at  a  place  which  he  named  St.  Louis  Bay  (now 
known  as  Matagardu  Bay),  thinking  to  send  them  northward  along 
the  coast  until  they  should  come  to  the  principal  outlet  of  the 
"fatal  river"  as  Joutel  frequently  calls  the  Mississippi.  While  here 
the  loss  of  the  Amiable  and  its  valuable  stores,  the  sickness  of  many  of 
the  company,  and  finally  the  departure  of  the  Joly  with  Beaujeu,  left 
La  Salle  in  a  sad  plight.  (See  note  concerning  the  relations  between 
La  Salle  and  Beaujeu,  in  Parkman's  La  Salle j  ii,  133  (Champlain 
edition). 


90 


Monsieur  de.  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


March  1685 


Monsr.  de 
la  Sale 
goes  to  dis- 
cover up 
the  River. 


Returns. 


Sets  out 
again. 


Monsieur  de  la  Salens  Affliction.  A  Spaniard  and  a  French 
Man  stole  away  and  fled,  and  were  never  more  heard  of. 
Four  or  five  others  followed  their  Example,  but  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale  having  timely  Notice,  sent  after  them,  and  they 
were  brought  back.  One  of  them  was  condemned  to  Death, 
and  the  others  to  serve  the  King  ten  Years  in  that  Country. 

When  our  Fort  was  well  advanc'd,  Monsr.  de  la  Sale 
resolv'd  to  clear  his  Doubts,  and  to  go  up  the  River,  where 
we  were,  to  know  whether  it  was  not  an  Arm  of  the  Miss- 
isipi,  and  accordingly  order' d  fifty  Men  to  attend  him,  of 
which  Number  were  Monsr.  Cavelier,  his  Brother,  and 
Monsr.  Chedeville,  both  Priests,  two  Recolet  Fryars,  and 
several  Voluntiers,  who  set  out  in  five  Canoes  we  had,  with 
the  necessary  Provisions.  There  remain'd  in  the  Fort  about 
an  hundred  and  thirty  Persons,  and  Monsr.  de  la  Sale 
gave  me  the  Command  of  it,  with  Orders  not  to  have  any 
Commerce  with  the  Natives,  but  to  fire  at  them  if  they 
appear'd. 

Whilst  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  was  absent,  I  caus'd  an  Oven 
to  be  built,  which  was  a  great  Help  to  us,  and  employ'd  my 
self  in  finishing  the  Fort,  and  putting  it  in  a  Posture  to 
withstand  the  Indians,  who  came  frequently  in  the  Night 
to  range  about  us,  howling  like  Wolves  and  Dogs;  but 
two  or  three^  Musquet  Shots  put  them  to  Flight.  It  hap- 
pen'd  one  Night,  that  having  fir'd  six  or  seven  Shot,  Mon- 
sieur de  la  Sale  who  was  not  far  from  us,  heard  them,  and 
being  in  Pain  about  it,  he  return'd  with  six  or  seven  Men, 
and  found  all  Things  in  a  good  Posture. 

He  told  us  he  had  found  a  good  Country,  fit  to  sow  and 
plant  all  Sorts  of  Grain,  abounding  in  Beeves  and  wild 
Fowl ;  that  he  design'd  to  erect  a  Fort  farther  up  the  River,^ 
and  accordingly,  he  left  me  Orders  to  square  out  as  much 
Timber  as  I  could  get,  the  Sea  casting  up  much  upon  the 
Shore.     He  had  given  the  same  Orders  to  the  Men  he  had 


1  Fr.  "  trois  ou  quatre  " —  three  or  four. 
^  Fr.  "vouloit  faire  un  Fort  plus  avant  dans  le  pays 
establish  a  fortified  post  farther  inland.    C.  C.  edit. 


designed  to 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  91 

left  on  the  Spot,  seven  or  eight  of  whom,  detached  from  the  Apr.  1685 
rest,  being  busy  at  that  Work,  and  seeing  a  Number  of  the 
Natives,  fled,  and  unadviseably  left  their  Tools  behind  them. 
Monseiur  de  la  Sale  returning  thither,  found  a  Paper  made 
fast  to  a  Reed,  which  gave  him  Notice  of  that  Accident, 
which  he  was  concern' d  at,  because  of  the  Tools,  not  so 
much  for  the  Value  of  the  Loss,  as  because  it  was  furnish- 
ing the  Natives  with  such  Things  as  they  might  afterwards 
make  Use  of  against  us. 

About  the  Beginning  of  April  we  were  alarm'd  hy  3.  a  Spanish 
Vessel  which  appeared  at  Sea,  near  enough  to  discern  the  ^^^^^^  ^P- 
Sails,  and  we  supposed  they  might  be  Spaniards,  who  had 
heard  of  our  Coming  and  were  ranging  the  Coast  to  find 
us  out.  That  made  us  stand  upon  our  Guard,  to  keep 
within  the  Fort,  and  see  that  our  Arms  were  fit  for  Service. 
We  afterwards  saw  two  Men  in  that  Vessel,  who^  instead 
of  coming  to  uss,  went  towards  the  other  Point,  and  by 
that  Aleans  pass'd  on,  without  perceiving  us. 

Having  one  Day  observ'd,  that  the  Water  work'd  and 
bubbled  up,  and  afterwards  perceiving  it  was  occasioned 
by  the  Fish  skipping  from  Place  to  Place,  I  caused  a  Net 
to  be  brought,  and  we  took  a  prodigious  Quantity  of  Fish,  Plenty  of 
among  which  were  many  Dorado's  or  Gilt-Heads,  Mullets  ^'^^  '^^^"• 
and  others  about  as  big  as  a  Herring,  which  afforded  us 
good  Food  for  several  Days.  This  fishery,  which  I  caused 
to  be  often  follow'd,  was  a  great  Help  towards  our  Sub- 
sistance. 

About  that  Time,  and  on  Easter-day  that  Year,  an  un- 
fortunate Accident  befel  Monsieur  le  Gros.  After  Divine 
Service  he  took  a  Gun  to  go  kill  Snipes  about  the  Fort. 
He  shot  one,  which  fell  into  a  Marsh ;  he  took  off  his  Shoes 
and  Stockings  to  fetch  it  out,  and  returning,  through  Care- 
lessness trod  upon  a  Rattle  Snake,  so  calFd,  because  it  has  Rattle 
a  Sort  of  Scale  on  the  Tail,  which  makes  a  Noise.  The  f^^\''^  ^^^^ 
Serpent  bit  him  a  little  above  the  Ankle,  he  was  carefully 

1  Fr.  "  vaisseau,  qui  " —  f.  e.  ship,  which. 


92  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Apr.  1685  dressed  and  look'd  after,  yet  after  having  endur'd  very 
much,  he  dy'd  at  last,  as  I  shall  mention  in  its  Place.  An- 
other more  unlucky  Accident  befell  us,  one  of  our  Fisher- 
men swimming  about  the  Net  to  gather  the  Fish,  was 
carry'd  away  by  the  Current,  and  could  not  be  help'd  by  us. 
May  1685  Our  Men  sometimes  went  about  several  little  Salt  Water 
Lakes,  that  were  near  our  Fort,  and  found  on  the  Banks  a 
Sort  of  flat  Fishes,  like  Turbots  asleep,  which  they  struck 
with  sharp  pointed  Sticks,  and  they  were  good  Food.  Provi- 
Salt  found  dence  also  shew'd  us  that  there  was  Salt  made  by  the  Sun, 
in  Pools.  upon  several  little  Salt  Water  Pools  there  were  in  divers 
Places,  for  having  observed  that  there  grew  on  them  a  Sort 
of  white  Substance,  like  the  Cream  upon  Milk,  I  took  care 
every  Day  to  send  and  fetch  that  Scum  off,  which  prov'd  to 
be  a  very  white  and  good  Salt,  whereof  I  gathered  a 
Quantity,  and  it  did  us  good  -Service. 

Some  of  our  Hunters  having  seen  a  Parcel  of  wild  Goats 
running  as  if  they  were  frighted,  judg'd  they  were  pursued 
by  the  Indians,  and  came  for  Refuge  to  the  Fort,  and  to 
give  me  Notice.  Accordingly  some  Time  after,  we  dis- 
cover'd  a  Parcel  of  Natives,  who  came  and  posted  them- 
selves on  an  Eminence,  within  Cannon  Shot,  some  of  them 
Indians  drew  off  from-  the  rest  and  approach'd  the  Fort  by  the 
Fort.  ^  ^  Way  of  the  Downs.  I  caused  our  Men  immediately  to 
handle  their  Arms,  and  wet  Blankets  to  be  laid  on  our 
Huts,  to  prevent  their  being  burnt  by  the  Fire  the  Savages 
sometimes  shoot  with  their  Arrows.  All  this  Time  those 
who  had  separated  themselves  from  the  rest,  being  three 
in  Number,  still  drew  nearer,  making  Signs  for  us  to  go  to 
them;  but  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  forbid  me  having  any 
Commerce  with  them ;  however,  since  they  had  neither  Bows 
nor  Arrows,  we  made  signs  to  them  to  draw  near,  which 
they  did  without  hesitating. 

We  went  out  to  meet  them.  Monsieur  Moranget  made 
them  sit  down,  and  they  gave  us  to  understand  by  Signs, 
that  their  People  were  hunting  near  us ;  being  able  to  make 
no  more  of  what  they  said,  Monsieur  Moranget  was  for 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA. 


93 


knocking  out  their  Brains,  to  revenge  their  having  murder'd  June  1685 
our  Companions,  but  I  would  not  consent  to  it,  since  they 
had  come  confiding  in  us.  I  made  Signs  to  them  to  be 
gone,  which  they  did  as  fast  as  they  could,  some  small 
Shot  we  fir'd  into  the  Air  making  them  run,  and  a  Can- 
non Shot,  I  pointed  towards  the  rising  Ground,  where  the 
rest  were,  put  them  all  to  Flight. 

These  Accidents  made  us  double  our  Guards,  since  we 
were  at  open  War  with  that  crafty  Nation,  which  let  slip  no 
Opportunity  to  surprize  us,  and  therefore  Penalties  were 
appointed  for  such  as  should  be  found  asleep  upon  Sentinel ; 
the  Wooden-Horse  was  set  up  for  them  without  Remission ; 
and  by  Means  of  such  Precautions  we  sav'd  our  Lives. 

Thus  we  spent  the  rest  of  the  Month,  till  the  Beginning 
of  June.  In  the  mean  Time,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  be- 
gun to  make  another  Settlement,  in  the  Place  he  before  told  Second 
us  of,  looking  upon  it  as  better,  because  it  was  further '^^'''^'^^**'- 
up  the  Country.^  To  that  Purpose  he  sent  to  us  the  Sieur 
de  Villeperdry  with  two  Canoes  and  Orders  for  the  Sieur 
Moranget  to  repair  to  him,  if  he  were  recover'd,  and  that 
all  the  Men  should  march,  except  30  of  the  ablest  to  make 
a  good  Defence,  who  were  to  stay  with  me  in  the  Fort. 
The  rest  being  seventy  Persons,  as  well  Men  and  Women 
as  Children,  set  up  with  the  Sieur  Moranget;  and  we  being 
but  a  small  Number  remaining,  I  caused  the  Fort  to  be 
brought  into  a  less  Compass,  to  save  posting  so  many 
Sentinels. 

Our  little  Company  began  to  take  Satisfaction  in  the 

Ease  of  getting  and  the  Nature  of  our  Provisions,  which  a 

greater  Number  has  more  Difficulty  to  be  supply'd  with,  and 

which  we  had  Plenty  of,  by  Means  of  Hunting  and  Fishing, 

those  being  our  principal  Employments,  and  we  liv'd  well 

enough  contented,  expecting  to  be  removed.    However  there  A  Conspir- 

were  some  Malecon tents,  who  resolv'd  to  desert ;  but  find-  ^^^  ^fj" 

covet  a. 

mg  a  Difficulty  to  put  it  in  Execution,  for  that  they  could 

^This  was  on  the  river  Lavaca   (La  Vache)   at  the  head  of  Mata- 
gorda Bay,  and  called  by  Joutel  Riviere  aux  Boeiifs. 


94  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

July  1685  neither  get  Arms,  nor  Powder  nor  Ball,  because  the  Sieur 
le  Gros  and  I  kept  all  lock'd  up,  and  were  very  vigilant, 
that  none  might  be  lavishly  spent,  they  took  the  cruel  Reso- 
lution to  rid  themselves  of  us. 

That  bloody  Massacre  was  to  begin  by  me,  when  I  was 
asleep,  and  then  to  proceed  to  the  Sieur  le  Gros,  who  lay 
in  the  Magazine,  or  Warehouse,  and  was  in  no  Condition 
to  defend  himself,  because  his  Leg  was  still  swolen,  and 
put  him  to  much  Pain.  The  Execution  was  to  be  by  stab- 
bing. One  of  the  Conspirators  reveal'd  this  to  the  Sieur 
Devault,  a  Hunter,  who  immediately  came  and  acquainted 
me.  I  did  not  just  then  take  Notice  of  what  I  had  been 
told;  but  in  the  Evening,  when  they  return'd  from  hunting, 
I  caused  one  to  be  secur'd,  who  presently  confessed  all. 
His  Accomplice  was  also  seiz'd,  and  it  was  very  troublesom 
to  secure  them  till  the  Time  when  we  should  remove. 

About  the  Middle  of  Jiily,  the  Bark  la  Belle  came  and 
anchor'd  near  us.  An  Order  was  brought  me  from  Mon- 
sieur de  la  Sale,  directing  me  to  put  aboard  it  all  the  Effects 
that  were  in  our  Fort,  to'  make  a  Float  of  the  Timber  I 
had  ca^used  to  be  squared,  if  Time  would  permit,  if  not  to 
bury  it  in  the  Ground.  Every  Man  set  his  Hand  to  the 
Work,  with  all  possible  Diligence,  and  our  two  Prisoners 
were  put  aboard,  as  was  also  Monsieur  le  Gros  and  his 
Surgeon,  with  all  our  Effects. 

The  Float  was  begun  with  immense  Labour;  but  the 
Weather  proving  very  Stormy,  and  holding  very  long,  I 
was  oblig'd  to  cause  what  had  been  done  to  be  taken  in 
Pieces,  and  to  bury  the  Timber  in  the  Sand,  the  best  -we 
could,  that  the  Natives  might  not  find  it. 
The  First  We  then  set  out  towards  the  Place  where  the  Indians 
Fort  aban-  ^^(j  hton  encamp' d,  when  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  went  the 
first  time  to  see  them.  We  found  no  Creature,  and  lay 
there  that  Night,  and  so  proceeded  along  the  Sea  Coast, 
without  any  Accident,  to  the  Camp  of  the  Sieur  Hurie, 
which  was  a  Post  in  the  Way,  where  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  95 

had  ordered  all  our  Effects  to  be  laid  up.    It  had  no  other  July  1685 
Inclosure  but  Chests  and  Barrels;  but  there  was  nothing  ' 

to  fear  from  the  Europeans. 

We  spent  the  Night  at  that  Post,  and  two  Canoes  com-  ///  posture 
ing  thither  the  next  Morning,  I  went  aboard  one  of  them,  o^.ff^  ^^\ 
with  Part  of  my  Company,  and  join'd  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
the  liext  Day,  at  the  Place  where  he  had  resolv'd  to  make 
his  new  Settlement.  I  gave  him  an  Account  of  all  that 
had  happened,  and  was  amaz'd  to  see  Things  so  ill  begun 
and  so  little  advanced.  As  for  the  Plantation,  the  Seed  and 
Grain  put  into  the  Ground,  was  either  lost  through  Drought, 
or  eaten  by  Birds  or  Beasts.  There  were  several  Dead, 
and  among  them  the  Sieur  de  Villeperdry ;  many  sick,  and 
of  that  Number  Monsieur  Cavalier  the  Priest;  no  Shelter 
but  a  little  square  Place  stak'd  in,  where  the  Powder  was 
and  some  Casks  of  Brandy;  many  other  Inconveniences 
there  were,  which  made  all  Things  appear  in  a  miserable 
Condition. 

It  was  requisite  to  think  of  building  a  large  Lodgment, 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  designed  it,  but  the  Difficulty  was  to 
get  proper  Timber  for  Building.  There  was  a  little  Wood, 
where  a  good  Quantity  might  be  had,  but  it  was  a  League 
up  the  Country,  and  we  had  neither  Carts  nor  Horses  to 
carry  it ;  however  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  sent  Workmen  thither, 
with  others  to  guard  them.  The  Trees  were  cut  down  and  Hard 
squared,  but  the  Carpenters  were  so  ignorant,  that  Monsr.  ^^^^**''- 
de  la  Sale  was  forc'd  to  act  the  Master  Builder,  and  to 
mark  out  the  Pieces  for  the  Work  he  designed.  Some  of 
those  Pieces  of  Timber  were  dragg'd  to  the  Camp,  over  the 
Grass  and  Weeds  the  Plain  was  covered  with;  afterwards 
the  Carriage  of  a  Gun  was  made  use  of;  but  all  cost  so 
much  Labour,  that  the  ablest  Men  were  quite  spent. 

This  excessive  Toil,  the  poor  Sustenance  the  labouring 
Men  had,  and  that  often  retrenched  as  a  Penalty  for  hav- 
ing faird  in  doing  their  Duty;  the  Uneasiness  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale  was  under  to  see  nothing  succeed  as  he  had 


96 


Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Aug.  1685 


Carpenter 
lost. 


Second 
Settlement. 


imagined,  and  which  often  made  him  insult  the  Men,  when 
there  was  little  Reason  for  it;  All  these  things  together 
afflicted  very  many  so  sensibly,  that  they  visibly  declin'd, 
and  above  thirty  dy*d.  The  Loss  of  so  many  Men  was 
followed  by  that  of  the  Master  Carpenter,  who  was  return- 
ing one  Evening  with  me;  but  I  happening  to  step  aside 
to  kill  some  wild  Fowl,  when  I  came  to  our  Habitation  I 
found  him  not,  and  it  was  never  known  what  became  of 
him;  an  Accident  which  added  to  our  Vexation,  for  tho' 
he  had  but  little  Skill  at  his  Trade,  yet  we  stood  in  Need 
of  him. 

Notwithstanding  all  those  Dissappointments,  enough  Tim- 
ber was  carry 'd  or  rather  dragg'd,  to  build  the  House 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  designed,  and  he  was  himself  the 
Architect.  He  mark'd  out  the  Lengths,  the  Tenants  and 
Mortises,  and  made  good  the  Defect  of  the  Workmen  and 
calling  to  Mind  that  I  had  bury'd  several  Pieces  of  Timber 
at  our  first  Habitation,  which  might  be  of  Use,  he  ordered 
me  to  take  two  Canoes  and  20  men,  to  go  fetch  them,  in 
the  Bark  la  Belle,  which  was  with  us. 

Being  come  to  the  Place,  we  found  the  Natives  had 
discover'd  our  Timber,  and  carry'd  away  some  Planks,  to 
pick  out  the  Nails  there  were  in  them,  which  they  value 
very  much,  to  point  their  Arrows.  We  labour'd  to  make 
a  Float,  loaded  the  Bark  la  Belle  with  the  rest  of  the  Planks 
and  other  Effects,  and  set  out  again.  Some  of  the  Natives 
appeared  whilst  we  were  at  Work,  but  seeing  us  advance 
towards  them,  with  our  Arms  in  our  Hands,  they  fled. 

We  returned  safe  to-Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  who  was  glad 
to  see  us,  tho'  we  had  lost  one  of  the  Canoes,  for  want  of 
its  being  well  made  fast  to  the  Float;  but  the  Timber  we 
brought  was  a  mighty  help  towards  carrying  on  his  Design, 
and  much  fitter  than  that  we  had  hew'd  in  the  Wood,  with 
so  much  Labour ;  so  that  this  Timber  occasioned  the  raising, 
^another  Structure  contiguous  to  the  former.  All  was 
cover'd  with  Planks,  and  Bullocks  Hides  over  them.  The 
Apartments  were  divided,  and  all  of  them  well  cover'd. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  97 

The  Stores  had  a  Place  apart,  and  that  Dwelling  had  the  Sep.  1685 
name  of  St.  Lewis  given  it,  as  well  as  the  Neighbouring 
Bay.' 

The  Sieur  le  Gros,  who  had  remained  aboard  the  Bark  Mr.  le  Gros 
La  Belle,  ever  since  the  first  Voyage  she  made  to  our  former  ^J^"^^^'*^ 
Habitation,  was  carry' d  ashore  to  the  new  One,  and  his 
Leg  still  swelling,  the  Surgeon  was  apprehensive  of  a 
Mortification,  and  advis'd  him  to  consent  to  have  it  cut 
off.  He  did  so,  tho'  with  Regret,  the  Operation  was  made, 
but  a  Fever  follow' d  immediately,  and  he  liv'd  but  two 
Days,  dying  on  the  Feast  of  the  Decollation  of  St.  John 
Baptist,  much  lamented  by  all  Men,  and  particularly  by 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  to  whom  he  was  very  serviceable,  by 
reason  of  his  general  Knowledge,  and  his  particular  Fidelity 
towards  him.  Monsieur  Carpentier,  Son  to  the  Master  of 
the  Works  and  the  .Sieur  Thibault,  both  of  Roan,  and  some 
others,  dy'd  about  the  same  time. 

Monsieur  de  la  Sale  being  desirous  to  take  a  Progress, 
to  find  his  fatal  Missisipi  River,  and  only  expecting  the 
Recovery  of  his  Brother  Monsieur  Cavalier,  who  was  to 
bear  him  Company,  he  began  to  make  some  Preparations 
towards  it,  and  in  the  mean  time,  took  some  small  Journeys 
of  four  or  five  Leagues  about,  but  could  learn  nothing 
further,  than  that  it  was  a  very  fine  Country,  hem'd  in  on 
one  Side  by  a  small  Mountain,  which  appear'd  at  about 
Fifteen  or  Twenty  Leagues  distance;  beautify'd  with  very 
fine  Trees,  and  water'd  by  many  little  Rivers,  whereof 
that,  on  which  we  had  built  our  Habitation  was  the  least. 
We  call'd  it  la  Riviere  aux  Boeufs,  that  is  the  River  of  River  of 
Bullocks,  by  reason  of  the  great  Number  of  them  there  **  °^  ^' 
was  about  it.  These  Bullocks  are  very  like  ours,  there  are 
Thousands  of  them,  but  instead  of  Hair  they  have  a  very 
long  curl'd  Sort  of  Wool.^ 

1  St.  Louis  Bay,  St  Bernard's  Bay,  Matagorda  Bay,  Esperitu  Bay  — 
are  all  names  by  which  this  Bay  has  been  known.  La  Salle  had  a 
peculiar  penchant  for  naming  his  forts,  and  after  his  royal  master, 
Louis  XIV;  New  Fort,  St.  Louis  of  the  Illinois,  Fort  St.  Louis  of 
Texas,  etc. 

2  In  the  Fr.  this  sentence  is  a  marginal  note. 

7 


9^  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Sep.  1685  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  Studying  all  Ways  to  find  out  the 

River  Missisipi,  imagined  it  might  fall  into  the  adjacent 
Bay,  and  resolved  to  go  view  all  the  Coasts  about  it,  and  to 
make  use  of  the  Bark  la  Belle.  Accordingly  he  order'd  me 
to  repair  to  the  said  Bark,  v^ith  five  Men  and  a  Canoe,  into 
which  he  put  his  Cloaths,  and  other  Effects  in  several  Chests. 
That  short  Voyage  was  very  troublesome  to  us,  by  reason 
of  the  foul  Weather,  with  contrary  Winds  and  Storms, 
which  had  like  to  have  overwhelm'd  us,  and  what  was  still 
iworse,  we  did  not  find  the  Bark,  where  we  had  left  her. 
We  went  on  a  League  further,  to  no  Purpose,  and  Pro- 
visions beginning  to  fall  short,  because  we  had  been  six 
Days  on  the  Way,  instead  of  three,  we  resolved  to  return 
to  the  Place  from  whence  we  came. 

Monsieur  de  la  Sale  seeing  us  return  at  a  distance,  came 
to  meet  us.    Our  Report  troubled  him  for  the  Bark,  which 
he  stood  in  need  of,  so  that  he  resolv'd  to  go  himself  to  seek 
her,  imbark'd  in  a  Canoe,  and  sent  me  another  Way,  in 
another.     After  having  wander' d  about  all  that  Day,  the 
next  Night  and  the  Day  following,  we  at  last  perceiv'd  her, 
where  she  lay  under  Shelter  in  a  little  Creek,  having  been  in 
Boat  of  the  Danger  of  Perishing  by  the  foul  Weather  we  had  been  in. 
Bark  lost.     ^^^^  ^^^^  jQg^  ^^j.  ^Q^t,  which  was  not  well  made  fast. 
Oct.  1685  The  Bark  was  also  discovered  by  Monsieur  de  la  Sale, 

who  was  on  the  other  side,  which  made  him  draw  near  and 
land,  whence  he  sent  his  Canoe  to  the  said  Bark,  and  Mon- 
sieur Moranget  who  commanded  it,  went  aboard  to  meet 
him.  The  Loss  of  the  Boat  troubled  Monsieur  de  la  Sale, 
I  sent  a  Canoe  to  bring  him,  but  to  no  Purpose;  however 
the  Trunks  were  put  aboard  the  Bark. 

Monsieur  Cavalier  the  Priest,  being  recovered  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale  prepared  to  set  out  with  all  Speed.  He  was 
pleas'd  to  Honour  me  with  the  Command,  during  his  Ab- 
sence, and  left  me  an  Inventory  of  all  that  was  in  our  Habi- 
What  Stores  tation,  consisting  of  Eight  Pieces  of  Cannon,  two  Hundred 
they  had.  Firelocks,  as  many  Cutlaces,  an  Hundred  Barrels  of  Powder, 
three   Thousand   Weight  of   Ball,   about  three  Hundred 


hito  NORTH  AMERICA.  99 

Weight  of  other  Lead,  some  Bars  of  Iron,  twenty  Packs  Nov,  1685 
of  Iron  to  make  Nails,  some  Iron  Work  and  Tools,  as 
Hatchets  and  the  like. 

As  for  Provisions,  all  that  were  left  me  amounted  to 
twenty  Casks  of  Meal,  one  Cask  and  a  half  of  Wine,  three 
Quarters  of  a  Cask  of  Brandy,  and  for  living  Creatures  some 
few  Swine,  a  Cock  and  a  Hen ;  which  is  very  short  of  what 
has  been  Publish'd  by  the  Author  of  a  Book  entituled,  The 
■first  Establishment  in  Nezv  France :  but  the  Reason  of  it  is, 
that  he  compiled  his  Work  upon  the  Credit  of  Relations, 
which  were  as  false  as  to  the  Point  of  the  Ammunition  and 
Provisions,  remaining  in  our  Habitation,  when  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale  set  out  that  Time,  as  concerning  the  Fort  well 
condition'd,  and  the  Magazines  or  Storehoses  under  Ground, 
which  are  all  imaginary,  there  being  Nothing  but  the  House 
I  have  mentioned,  pallisado'd,  with  some  old  Stakes. 

Monsr.  de  la  Sale  farther  order' d  me  not  to  receive  any 
Men  of  those  he  took  along  with  him,  unless  they  brought 
tan  Order  from  him  in  Writing;  nor  to  hold  or  admit  of 
any  Communication  with  the  Natives,  but  rather  to  fire 
upon  them,  and  some  other  Particulars  he  thought  fit  to  be 
observed.  He  had  made  himself  a  Coat  of  Mail  with  small 
Laths,  to  secure  himself  against  the  Arrows,  which  he  took 
along  with  him,  he  also  took  the  Canoes,  and  promised  to 
send  me  one  back.  Five  Cannon  Shot  were  the  Signal  of 
his  Departure. 

He  took  his  Way  along  the  lower  Part  of  the  River,  Monsr.  de 
to  march  by  Land  along  the  neighbouring  Bay,  which  was  ^^f^^  ^ffj 
caird  of  St.  Lewis,  the  Canoes  keeping  within  Sight.     I  cover. 
was  left  in  the  Habitation  with  thirty  four  Persons,  Men,  f  [yy^^^^^'"^ 
Women  and  Children,  and  of  that  Number  were  three 
Recolet  Friars,  the  Sieur  Hurie,  who  was  to  command  in 
my  Absence,  one  of  the  Sieurs  Duhaiit,  the  Sieurs  Thibault 
and  a  Surgeon. 

Our  Provisions  being  very  small,  and  it  being  requisite 
to  spare  them,  for  the  Sick,  we  were  obliged  to  apply  our 
selves  to  Fishing  and   Shooting.     Both  of  them  at  first 


lOO         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Nov.  1685  prov'd  very  unsuccessful,  especially  the  latter;  because  we 
'  were  not  yet  well  vers'd  in  them,  and  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
had  taken  our  Huntsman  along  with  him;  but  at  length, 
Necessity  made  us  more  expert.  We  kill'd  Beeves,  some  of 
which  I  caus'd  to  be  dry'd,  and  they  were  a  considerable 
Help  to  subsist  us. 

Hunter  dies      Some  Days  after,  the  Canoe  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had 

with  Cold,  promised  me,  arrived  with  three  Soldiers,  who  brought  us 
the  News  of  the  Loss  of  the  Huntsman  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale  had  taken  along  with  him,  and  who  had  been  found 
dead  with  Cold  in  a  Ditch,  where  he  had  lain  down  to  rest 
after  hunting,  which  troubled  us  all  very  much.  They  also 
inform' d  us,  that  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  advancing  towards  some 
Dwellings  the  Natives  had  abandon' d,  after  a  small  Resist- 
ance, some  of  whom  had  been  wounded  as  they  fled,  they 
had  taken  and  brought  a  Girl  and  a  Woman,  who  was  shot 
thro'  the  Thigh,  of  which  she  dy'd.^ 

Dec.  1685  The  Canoe  was  a  great  Help  to  us  to  carry  what  we  kill'd, 

which  being  brought  to  our  Habitation,  found  Employment 
for  all  Persons,  some  to  flea,  others  to  cut  up,  and  others 
to  dry  it.  At  other  Times,  I  set  some  of  our  men  to  throw 
up  a  Trench  about  our  Habitation. 

Jan.  1686  Thus  we  spent  our  Time,  till  about  the  Middle  of  Janu- 

ary, 1686,  when  being  all,  one  Evening,  in  our  Mansion, 
the  Sentinel  came  in  to  acquaint  me,  that  he  heard  a  Voice 
towards  the  River;  some  men  ran  thither  immediately,  and 
found  a  Man  in  a  Canoe,  crying,  Dominick,  which  was  the 
Name  of  young  Duhaut,  who  was  with  us.    The  Sight  of 

Duhaut         that  made  me  apprehensive  lest  some  Disaster  was  befallen 

^f^^^^M        Monsr.   de  la  Sale.     I  drew  near,  and  perceiv'd  it  was 

de  la  Sale.    D'uhaiit  the  Elder,  that  was  return'd. 

I  ask'd,  him  whether  he  had  any  Letters  from  Monsieur 

1  The  construction  of  this  sentence,  leaves  us  somewhat  in  doubt, 
as  to  whether  the  girl  and  the  woman  were  not  one  and  the  same  per- 
son. In  the  Fr.  it  reads  "  une  fiUe,  une  femme  blessee  a  la  cuisse  d'un 
coup  de  fusil,  dont  elle  mourut  —  a  girl,  a  woman  wounded  in  the 
thigh  by  a  gun-shot,  who  died  of  the  wound."    C.  C.  edit. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  loi 

de  la  Sale,  he  answered  he  had  not.  It  gave  me  some  Un-  Jan.  1686 
easiness,  considering  I  was  forbid  admitting  any  Man  with- 
out  an  Order  in  Writing,  and  I  was  almost  resolv'd  to 
secure  him;  but  the  Account  he  gave  me  of  the  Occasion 
of  his  returning  wholly  cleared  him.  I  admitted  him,  and 
he  told  me  the  whole  Matter  as  follows. 

Monsr.  de  la  Sale,  having  staid  some  Time  on  the  Sea 
Shore,  near  the  Place  where  the  Bark  was  at  Anchor  he 
resolv'd  to  try  the  Anchoring  Places  of  the  Coasts  round 
about,  to  know  how  near  the  Bark  la  Belle  might  come. 
To  that  Purpose  he  sent  the  Pilot  with  5  of  the  best  Men 
to  sound. 

The  Pilot  did  as  he  was  order'd,  he  sounded  and  observed 
the  proper  Places  to  come  near  several  Coasts.  At  Night 
he  and  his  Men  being  in  all  likelyhood  tir'd,  they  thought 
fit  to  go  Ashore  and  lie  upon  the  Land.  They  made  a  Fire, 
perhaps  to  dress  some  Meat;  but  neglecting  to  stand  upon 
their  Guard,  they  were  surpriz'd,  and  all  six  of  them  kill'd  Six  Men 
by  the  Savages ;  who  also  broke  their  Canoe,  and  thus  re-  ^'^f-^  ^^ 
veng'd  themselves  for  the  Irruption  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  had 
lately  made  among  them. 

More  Time  being  elaps'd  than  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had 
allotted  those  Men  to  return,  he  grew  uneasy,  and  went 
himself  along  the  Coast,  to  see  if  any  News  could  be  had 
of  them,  and  keeping  along  the  Shore,  he  found  the  sad 
Remains  of  those  unfortunate  Wretches,  whose  Carcasses 
scattered  about,  were  torn  and  almost  devoured  by  Wolves 
or  Wild  Dogs,  a  Spectacle  which  went  to  his  Heart. 

However  this  Loss,  which  afflicted  him,  and  particularly 
for  the  Sake  of  the  Pilot,  who  was  an  able  Man,  did  not 
quite  cast  him  down ;  but  exerting  himself  against  his  Mis- 
fortunes, he  caused  Flesh  to  be  dry'd,  and  with  that  and  the 
other  Provisions  he  victualled  the  Bark  la  Belle.  He  caused 
it  to  advance  into  the  Bay,  put  a  good  Number  of  Men  on 
Board  to  secure  it,  among  whom  were  Monsieur  Chedeville, 
the  Priest,  and  Planterose  of  Roan,  and  order'd  them  not 


I02  Monsieur  de  la  Salens  Second  Voyage 

Jan.  1686  to  stir  from  that  Place  till  they  heard  from  him,  and  not 
to  go  Ashore,  unless  with  a  good  Guard  and  necessary 
Precautions. 

Next,  he  chose  out  Twenty  Men,  imbark'd  on  two  Canoes 
he  had  left,  and  being  come  Ashore,  caus'd  the  Canoes  to 
be  sunk  in  the  River,  and  every  Man  to  take  up  his  Bundle, 
consisting  of  Arms,  Tools,  some  Utensils  for  the  Kitchin, 
a  few  Goods,  to  trade  with  the  Natives,  if  he  should  find 
any  sociable,  and  so  advanced  into  the  Country,  to  try  if  any 
Notice  could  be  had  of  the  Missisipi. 

After  several  Days  March,  they  came  to  a  good  pleasant 
La  Maligne  River,  which  they  afterwards  call'd  la  Maligne.  Monsieur 
River.  j^  /^  ^qJ^  marching  at  the  Head  of  the  Company,  and  hav- 

ing ordered  Monsieur  Moranget  to  keep  in  the  Rear;  it 
happened  that  Duhaut  stopping  to  mend  his  Snapsack^  and 
his  Shoes,  which  were  in  a  bad  Condition ;  the  Sieur  Moran- 
get coming  up,  commanded  him  to  March,  he  desired  him 
to  stay  a  little.  Moranget  would  not,  but  held  on  his  Way ; 
Duhaut  follow' d  some  Time  after,  but  having  stay'd  too 
long,  he  could  not  overtake  the  Company,  and  found  himself 
about  Night  fall  in  a  Plain  full  of  Weeds,  where  there  were 
several  Tracks  of  the  Way  Cattle  had  gone,  but  knew  not 
which  of  them  to  take.  He  fir'd  his  Piece  several  Times, 
without  hearing  any  thing  of  his  Company,  and  was  oblig'd 
to  pass  the  Night  in  that  same  Place. 
Strange  In  the  Morning  he  shot  again,  spent  the  Day  and  Night 

Adventure,  ^g^in  in  that  Place,  so  that  not  knowing  what  to  do,  he  re- 
turned the  same  Way  he  had  gone,  and  after  a  Month's 
March,  for  he  travell'd  only  by  Night,  for  Fear  of  meeting 
with  the  Savages,  living  upon  what  he  kill'd  with  much  Diffi- 
culty and  Danger,  having  before  spent  all  his  own  Provi- 
sions; at  length  after  most  unaccountable  Hardships  and 
Sufferings,  he  arrived  at  the  Place  where  the  Canoes  had 
been  sunk.  He  took  one  of  them  up,  with  incredible  Labour, 
and  too  long  to  relate,  and  so  came  to  our  Habitation  of  St. 

^Fr.  "paquet,"  or  knapsack. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  103 

Lewis.    Thus  it  pleas'd  God  that  he  who  was  to  be  one  of  Feb.  1686 
the  Murderers  of  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  should  come  off  " 

safe,  and  surmount  almost  infinite  Dangers. 

This  Account,  which  seem'd  to  carry  the  Face  of  Prob- 
ability, prevail'd  with  me  to  receive  the  Sieur  Duhaiit,  and 
in  Reality  I  could  do  no  otherwise,  and  I  made  it  my  Busi- 
ness to  examine  into  his  Behaviour,  but  could  find  Nothing 
to  lay  to  his  Charge.  We  continued  some  Time  longer  as 
we  had  been  before;  during  the  which,  I  caus'd  another 
little  Wooden  Structure  to  be  made,  of  Timber,  I  had  got 
together,  and  in  it  I  lodg'd  the  Women  and  Maidens  by 
themselves.  Having  hitherto  said  Nothing  of  the  Situation 
of  our  Dwelling  of  St.  Lewis,  nor  of  the  Nature  of  the 
Country  we  were  in,  I  will  here  venture  upon  a  plain  but 
true  Description. 

We  were  in  about  the  27th  Degree  of  North  Latitude,  Description 
two  Leagues  up  the  Country,  near  the  Bay  of  St.  Lewis  Country 
and  the  Bank  of  the  River  aux  Boeufs,  on  a  little  Hillock,  o«^  Dwel- 
whence  we  discover'd  vast  and  beautiful  Plains,  extending  Lewis, 
very  far  to  the  Westward,  all  level  and  full  of  Greens, 
which  afford  Pasture  to  an  infinite  Number  of  Beeves  and 
other  Creatures. 

Turning  from  the  West  to  the  Southward,  there  ap-  The  Land. 
pear'd  other  Plains  adorn' d  with  several  little  Woods  of 
several  Sorts  of  Trees.    Towards  the  South  and  East  was 
the  Bay,  and  the  Plains  that  hem  it  in  from  the  East ;  to  the 
Northward,  was  the  River  running  along  by  a  little  Hill,^ 

1  Fr.  "  On  voyoit  du  Cote  du  midy,  &  vers  TOrient,  la  Baye,  & 
les  campagnes  qui  la  bordent,  de  TOrient  au  Septentrion,  la  Riviere 
se  presentoit  le  long  d'un  petit  costan," — To  the  southward  and  east- 
ward stretched  the  Bay  and  the  fields  which  border  it,  from  the  east 
to  the  north,  the  river  appeared  along  a  gentle  slope, —  [The  phrase, 
"  From  the  east  to  the  north "  squints  both  ways ;  the  reader  must 
determine  the  meaning.  Perhaps,  in  the  editor's  translation,  the  comma 
after  the  words  "border  it"  should  be  removed,  so  as  to  make  the 
phrase  "  from  the  east  to  the  north  "  qualify  the  verb  "  border."  Al- 
though the  editor's  studies  have  not  qualified  him  to  express  an  au- 
thoritative opinion  upon  this  point  of  historical  geography,  he  hazards 
the  guess  that  this  river  is  one  of  those  flowing  into  Galveston  Bay.] 
C.  C.  edit. 


I04         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Feb.  1686 


Living 
Creatures. 


Fish. 


Tortoises. 


Venomous 
Creatures. 


Rattle- 
Snakes. 


beyond  which  there  were  other  large  Plains,  with  some  little 
Tufts  of  Wood  at  small  Distances,  terminating  in  a  Border 
of  Wood,  which  seem'd  to  us  to  be  very  high. 

Between  that  little  Hill  and  our  Dwelhng,  was  a  Sort  of 
Marsh,  and  in  it  Abundance  of  wild  Foul,  as  Curlies,  Water- 
Hens  and  other  Sorts.  In  the  Marsh  there  were  little  Pools 
full  of  Fish.  We  had  also  an  infinite  Number  of  Beeves, 
wild  Goats,  Rabbits,  Turkeys,  Bustards,  Geese,  Swans, 
Feldifares,  Plovers,  Teal,  Partridges  and  many  other  Sorts 
of  Fowl  fit  to  eat,  and  among  them  one  call'd  le  grand 
Cosier,  or,  the  great  Gullet,  because  it  has  a  very  large  one ; 
another  as  big  and  Fleshy  as  a  Pullet,  which  we  called  the 
Spatula,  because  it's  Beak  is  shap'd  like  one,  and  the 
Feathers  of  it  being  of  a  pale  Red,  are  very  beautiful. 

As  for  Fish,  we  had  several  Sorts  in  the  River  and  in 
the  Lakes  I  have  mentioned.  The  River  afforded  a  Sort  of 
Barbies,  differing  from  ours  in  Roundness,  in  their  having 
three  Bones  sticking  out,  one  on  the  Back,  the  others  on 
each  Side  of  the  Head,  and  in  the  Flesh,  which  is  like  Cod, 
and  without  Scales.  The  River  supply' d  us  with  Abund- 
ance of  other  Fishes,  whose  Names  we  know  not.  The 
Sea  afforded  us  Oysters,  Eeles,  Trouts,  a  Sort  of  red  Fishes 
and  others  whose  long,  sharp  and  hard  Beak  tore  all  our 
Nets. 

We  had  Plenty  both  of  Land  and  Sea  Tortoises,  whose 
Eggs  serv'd  to  season  our  Sauces.  The  Land  Tortoises 
differ  from  those  of  the  Sea,  as  being  smaller,  round,  and 
their  Shell  more  beautiful.  They  hide  themselves  in  Holes 
they  find  or  make  in  the  Earth.  It  was  looking  for  these 
Tortoises,  that  one  of  our  Surgeons,  thrust  his  Arm  into  a 
Hole,  and  was  bit  by  some  venomous  Creature,  which  we 
suppos'd  to  be  a  Sort  of  Toad,  having  four  Feet,  the  Top  of 
his  Back  sharp  and  very  hard,  with  a  little  Tail.  Whether  it 
was  this  Creature,  or  a  Snake,  his  Arm  swelled  very  much, 
however  he  was  cured  by  such  Applications  as  were  made 
Use  of;  but  it  cost  him  a  Finger  was  cut  off. 

Among  the  venomous  Sorts  of  Snakes,  as  Vipers,  Asps 
and  others,  whereof  there  are  many,  those  call'd  Rattle- 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  105 

Snakes  are  the  most  common.  They  generally  lye  among  Feb.  1686 
the  Brambles,  where  they  make  a  Noise  by  the  Motion  of 
two  Scales  they  have  at  the  End  of  their  Tail,  which  is 
heard  at  a  considerable  Distance,  and  therefore  they  are 
call'd  Rattle-Snakes.  Some  of  our  Men  had  eaten  of  them 
and  found  their  Flesh  was  not  amiss,  and  when  we  had 
kiird  any  of  them,  our  Swine  made  a  good  Meal. 

There  are  also  many  Alligators  in  the  Rivers,  some  oi  Alligators. 
them  of  a  frightful  Magnitude  and  Bulk.  I  kill'd  one  that 
•vfas  between  four  and  five  Foot  about,  and  twenty  Foot  in 
length,  on  which  our  Swine  feasted.  This  Creature  has 
Very  short  Legs,  insomuch  that  it  rather  drags  along  than 
walks,  and  it  is  easy  to  follow  the  Tract  of  it,  either  among 
the  Weeds  or  on  the  Sands,  where  it  has  been.  It  is  very 
ravenous,  and  attacks  either  Men  or  Beasts,  when  they 
are  within  Reach  in  the  River,  and  comes  also  ashore  to 
seek  for  Food.  It  has  this  particular  Quality,  that  it  flies 
from  such  as  pursue,  and  pursues  those  who  fly  from  it.  I 
have  shot  many  of  them  dead. 

The  Woods  are  composed  of  Trees  of  several  Sorts.  Trees. 
There  are  Oaks,  some  of  them  ever  green  and  never  with- 
out Leaves;  others  like  ours  in  Europe,  bearing  a  Fruit 
much  like  our  Galls,  and  lose  their  Leaves  in  Winter,  and 
another  Sort  not  unlike  ours  in  France,  but  the  Bark  of 
them  thicker,  these  as  well  as  the  second  Sort  bear  an  Acorn, 
differing  from  ours  both  in  Taste  and  Bigness. 

There  is  a  Sort  of  Tree,  which  bears  small  Berries,  which,  Dangerous 
when  ripe,  are  red,  and  indifferent  pleasant.    It  bears  twice    ''"*  * 
a  Year,  but  the  second  Crop  never  ripens.     There  is  an- 
other Tree,  bearing  a  Fruit  not  unlike  Cassia,  in  Taste  and 
Virtue. 

There  are  others  of  the  Sort  I  had  seen  in  the  Islands, 
whose  Leaves  are  like  Rackets,  whence  the  Tree  bears  the 
Name.  The  Blossoms  grow  out  about  the  Leaves,  and  of 
them  comes  a  Fruit  somewhat  resembling  Figs,  but  the 
Leaves  and  the  Fruit  are  full  of  Prickles,  which  must  be 
carefully  rubb'd  and  taken  off,  before  it  is  eaten,  else  they 
dangerously  inflame  the  Mouth  and  the  Throat,  and  may 


io6  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Feb.  1686  prove  mortal,  as  happened  to  one  of  our  Soldiers,  who  had 
eaten  of  them  too  greedily,  and  without  that  Precaution. 
I  have  seen  some  Trees  resembling  the  Palm,  whose 
lofty  and  long  Branches  spread  like  that  call'd  the  Latanier, 
bearing  a  Fruit,  said  to  be  indifferent  good.  Others  the 
same  Sort,  but  whose  Leaves  are  like  Gutters,  harsh  and 
so  sharp  pointed,  that  they  will  pierce  the  thickest  Stuffs. 
This  Tree  has  a  Sprout  on  the  Top,  which  shoots  out 
Flowers  in  the  Shape  of  a  Nosegay,  of  a  whitish  yellow, 
and  some  of  them  at  the  Top  of  that  Sprout  have  sixty  or 
eighty  Flowers  hanging  down,  not  unlike  the  Flower  de 
Luce,  and  after  those  Flowers  follows  a  Fruit  as  long  as  a 
Man's  Finger,  and  thicker  than  the  Thumb,  full  of  little 
Seeds,  so  that  there  is  scarce  any  Thing  but  the  Rhind  fit 
to  eat,  the  Taste  whereof  is  sweet  and  delicate. 

yings  There  are  Abundance  of  creeping  Vines  and  others,  that 

run  up  the  Bodies  and  to  the  Tops  of  Trees,  which  bear 
plenty  of  Grapes,  fleshy  and  sharp,  not  to  compare  to  the 
Delicacy  of  ours  in  Europe ;  but  we  made  Verjuice  of  them, 
which  was  very  good  in  Sauce.  Mulberry  Trees  are  nu- 
merous along  the  Rivers,  their  Fruit  is  smaller,  but  sweeter 
and  more  delicious  than  ours;  their  Leaves  are  beautiful 
and  large,  which  would  be  of  good  Use  for  feeding  of  Silk- 
worms. 

Plants.  '^^^  Plains  are  strew'd  with  a  Sort  of  small  Sorrel,  the 

Leaf  whereof  is  like  Trefoil,  and  the  Taste  of  it  sharp  like 
ours.  There  are  Abundance  of  small  Onions,  no  bigger 
than  the  Top  of  a  Man's  Finger,  but  very  well  tasted,  and 
when  the  Heat  has  scorch' d  up  the  Plains,  that  Plant  shoots 
out  first,  and  produces  Flowers  which  look  like  an  agree- 
able Enamel.  Nothing  is  more  beautiful  than  to  behold 
those  vast  Plains,  when  the  Blossoms  appear;  a  thousand 
Sorts  of  different  Colours,  whereof  many^  have  an  agree- 
able Scent,  adorn  those  Fields,  and  afford  a  most  charming 

1  [The  ascription  of  an  agreeable  odor  to  the  colors  is  found  in  the 
original.     Perhaps   the  Fr.   "  couleurs  *'   is   a   misprint  for   "  fleurs."] 

M.  B.   A. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  107 

Object  to  the  Eye.  I  have  observed  some  that  smelt  like  a  March  1686 
Tuberose,  but  the  Leaf  resembles  our  Borage.  I  have  seen 
Primroses,  having  a  Scent  like  ours,  African  Gilliflowers, 
and  a  Sort  of  purple  wind  Flowers.  The  Autumn  Flowers 
are  almost  all  of  them  yellow,  so  that  the  Plains  look  all 
of  that  Colour. 

The  Climate  is  mild  and  temperate,  tho'  we  were  in 
about  2y  Degrees  of  North  Latitude,  and  yet  the  Seeds  I 
caused  to  be  sow'd  did  not  thrive;  whether  it  was  because 
they  had  been  soak'd  in  the  Sea  Water,  or  for  any  other 
Reason.  Some  came  up  pretty  well,  as  Pompions,  Melons, 
Parsnips  and  Endive ;  but  the  Beasts  and  the  Insects,  left  us 
not  much.  When  we  come  to  the  Cenis  and  have  traversed 
so  many  Nations  as  lay  between  us  and  them,  I  shall  speak 
of  the  Religion,  Manners,  Cloathing,  Houses  and  Customs 
of  the  Natives,  wherein  they  differ  but  little  from  one  an- 
other, tho'  of  several  Countries. 

Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  been  now  long  gone,  and  we 
began  to  be  in  Pain  for  him,  when  about  the  Middle  of 
March  1686,  hapning  to  be  on  the  Top  of  the  House,  I 
spied  seven  or  eight  Persons  coming  towards  us.  I  pres- 
ently ordered  eight  armM  Men  to  follow  me,  to  go  meet 
them ;  and  as  soon  as  we  drew  near  them,  we  knew  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale,  Monsieur  Cavelier,  his  brother.  Monsieur  Moran- 
get,  his  Nephew  and  five  or  six  Men  with  them,  the  rest 
being  gone  another  Way  to  find  out  the  Bark  la  Belle,  to 
give  Notice  of  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Arrival. , 

They  were  in  a  bad  Condition,  their  Cloaths  ragged.  Monsieur 
Monsieur  Cavelier' s  short  Cassock  hung  in  Tatters;  n^ost  ^^J^^^*^*^ 
of  them  had  not  Hats,  and  their  Linen  was  no  better; 
however  the  Sight  of  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  rejoyc'd  us  all. 
The  Account  he  gave  us  of  his  Journey  reviv'd  our  Hopes, 
tho'  he  had  not  found  the  fatal  River,  and  we  thought  only 
of  making  ourselves  as  merry  as  we  could.  Only  the  Sight 
of  the  Sieur  Duhaut  interrupted  it  for  some  Time.  Mon- 
sieur de  la  Sale  ask'd  me  in  an  angry  Manner,  why  I  had 


io8         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

March  1686  received  him,  and  Duhaut  having  given  his  Reasons,  as  I 

and  my  Men  did,^  v^e  v^ere  all  satisfy'd. 
The  Bark  The  next  Day,  the  Sieurs  le  Barbier,  Bihorel,  le  Petit, 
iojf  ^^^^  Caz/^/z>r^  the  Nephew,  the  Surgeon  and  others,  whom  Mon- 
sieur de  la  Sale  had  sent  to  find  out  and  carry  Advice  to 
the  Bark  la  Belle,  returned,  and  said  they  could  not  find 
her,  which  was  another  fresh  Cause  of  Much  Uneasiness  to 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  He  had  been  guilty  of  the  Fault 
of  putting  aboard  her,  his  Cloaths,  his  Linen,  his  Papers 
and  all  his  best  Effects,  of  all  which  he  was  then  in  the 
utmost  Need.  Besides,  that  Loss  broke  all  the  Measures 
he  had  concerted  during  his  last  Expedition,  because  he 
had  resolv'd  to  cause  the  said  Bark  to  go  up  one  of  the 
Rivers  he  had  discovered,  to  advance  towards  those  Nations 
with  whom  he  had  contracted  some  Friendship,  and  to  send 
me  in  the  same  Bark,  with  his  Nephew  Moranget,  to  the 
Islands  to  seek  for  some  Assistance,  or  else  to  return  by 
Sea  to  look  for  his  River. 

All  these  Designs  being  disappointed,  he  resolv'd  to  set 
out  a  second  Time,  and  travel  by  Land,  to  find  out  his 
River.^  He  staid  to  rest  him  a  while,  and  to  provide  for 
his  Departure,  but  having  neither  Linen  nor  Cloaths,  I 
supply M  him  with  some  I  had ;  I  also  afforded  some  Linen 
to  Monsieur  Cavelier,  his  Brother  and  Monsieur  Moranget, 
his  Nephew.  All  I  had  was  at  their  Service,  and  I  depriv'd 
myself  of  all  that  was  fit  for  them,  even  to  ten  or  twelve 

1  The  original  Fr.  expression  seems  preferable :  viz.,  "  &  Duhaut 
ayant  dit  ses  raisons,  &  moy  les  miennes,  .  .  .  " — and  Duhaut 
having  given  his  reasons,  and  I  mine.     C.  C.  edit. 

2  La  Salle,  now  apparently  convinced  that  in  his  approach  by  sea,  he 
had  missed  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi  which  he  so  eagerly  sought, 
determined  to  retrace,  by  land,  the  long  route  to  Canada,  in  order  to 
secure  supplies  and  succor  for  the  little  colony  in  Texas,  and  to  report 
their  state  to  France.  In  this  design,  he  appears  to  have  been  even 
more  reticent  than  usual ;  since  few,  if  any,  seem  to  have  been  informed 
of  the  real  extent  of  the  journey  before  them.  . 

Almost  at  the  outset  of  their  undertaking,  the  little  frigate  Belle, 
which  was  to  have  accompanied  them  —  as  far  as  possible  —  along 
the  coast  —  was  lost,  and  all  of  her  crew  perished,  except  three  or  four, 
who  were  washed  ashore,  and  rejoined  Joutel's  party,  only  after  three 
months'  absence. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  109 

Pounds  of  strings  of  Beads  and  some  Knives  and  Nails/  Apr.  1686 


which  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  took. 

The  Sieur  Diihaut,  having  several  Effects,  as  Linen, 
Hatchets  and  other  Tools  and  Commodities,  which  had 
been  sav'd  from  the  Shipwreck,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  took 
Linen  to  make  Shirts,  for  such  as  wanted,  as  also  the  Tools 
they  stood  in  Need  of.  The  Cloaths  belonging  to  Messieurs 
Thibault,  le  Gros  and  Carpentier,  who  were  dead,  were  also 
distributed.  A  great  Belt  I  had,  served  to  make  Shoes  for^ 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  and  Monsieur  Cavelier. 

All  Things  being  thus  provided.  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  took  Monsieur 
twenty  Men  along  with  him,  among  whom  were  Monsieur  ^^^^  ^^^ 
Cavelier  his  Brother,  F.  Anastasius  a  Recolet,  Monsieur  ^Pon  an- 
Moranget  his  Nephew,  the  Sieurs  Bihorel,  le  Clerk,  Hurler,  %tion. 
Duhaut  the  younger,  Hiens  his  Surgeon,  and  his  Servants. 
He  left  behind  those,  who  were  not  fit  to  undertake  that 
second  Journey,  among  whom  were  little  Monsieur  Cave- 
lier^ his  Nephew,   the  Sieur  Barbier,   Canadien  and  some 
others.    Each  of  the  Travellers  made  up  his  Pack,  and  they 
set  out  towards  the  latter  End  of  April  1686,^  after  having 
given  me  the  necessary  Orders,  and  we  parted  without  Cere- 
mony, Monsieur  de  la  Sale  desiring  it  should  be  so. 

Some  Days  after  he  was  gone,  I  heard  a  Voice  towards 
the  lower  Part  of  the  River,  crying  twice  Qui  vive,  or  who 
are  you  for.  I  made  that  Way,  and  perceiv'd  the  Sieur 
Chedeville  a  Priest,  the  Sieur  de  la  Sablonniere,  and  some 
others  of  those  who  had  been  put  aboard  the  Bark  la  Belle, 
and  were  now  in  a  Canoe.  I  ask'd  abruptly  what  was  be- 
come of  the  Bark,  and  was  inform^,  our  continual  Mis- 
fortunes still  pursuing  us,  that  it  had  run  aground  on  the 
other  Side  of  the  Bay.  I  caused  the  Canoe  to  be  unloaded,  what  was 
there  being  in  it,  among  other  Things,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  i^/^jl 
Cloaths,  Part  of  his  Papers,  some  Linen,  a  small  Quantity  la  Belle. 

^Fr.  "alesnes" — awls. 

2  Compare  p.  2,  line  9. 

3  The  22d. 


no         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

May  1686     of  Beads  and  thirty  or  forty  Pound  of  Meal,  which  was 

"  all  they  had  left. 

How  the  The  next  Day,  Monsieur  de  Chedeville  told  me  the  Par- 

lolt.   ^^      ticulars  of  that  Misfortune,  and  said,  That  having  been 

some  Time  with  the  Bark,  in  the  Place  where  Monsieur 

de  la  Sale  had  appointed  them  to  wait,  their  Water  falling 

short,  they  had  thought  fit  to  send  the  Boat  ashore,  with 

four  or  five  Casks  to  fill ;  that  the  Sieur  Planterose  went  in  it 

»  with  six  of  the  best  Men.    That  towards  the  Evening  they 

saw  the  Boat  coming  back,  but  the  Wind  being  contrary 

and  Night  coming  on,  they  put  out  a  Light,  which  going 

out  and  the  Captain  neglecting  to  put  up  another,  in  all 

Likelyhood  the  Boat  could  not  see  the  Bark,  and  they  never 

heard  of  it  after,  nor  of  any  of  those  in  it,  who  it  was 

probable  had  all  perish'd. 

That  nevertheless,  they  continued  some  Days  in  the  same 
Place,  during  which  Time  three  or  four  of  their  Men  died ; 
and  at  last,  having  no  Water,  they  eat  up  their  Swine, 
before  they  died  with  Thirst,  and  resolv'd  to  weigh  Anchor 
and  draw  near  to  the  Dwelling ;  but  having  few  Hands  and 
those  spent,  and  to  add  to  their  Misfortune  the  Wind  prov- 
ing contrary,  they  were  drove  to  the  other  Side  of  the  Bay, 
where  they  run  aground. 

That  having  no  Boat,  nor  Men  enough  to  land  their 
Effects,  they  had  endeavour' d  to  make  a  Float  with  some 
Casks  and  Planks,  but  that  being  ill  made  and  join'd  to- 
gether, the  first  that  went  upon  it  had  perish'd.  That  hav- 
ing made  another  Float  better  fastened  together  than  the 
first,  they  had  by  that  Means  saved  some  Sails  and  Rigging, 
several  inconsiderable  Things,  Linen,  Cloaths  and  Papers 
belonging  to  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  and  others,  and  then 
stay'd  Ashore,  expecting  to  hear  some  News,  and  had  found 
a  Canoe,  being  the  same  that  was  before  lost  on  the  Edge 
of  the  Bay,  which  had  been  drove  to  the  other  Side ;  and  that 
Provisions  at  last  beginning  to  fall  short,  they  went  aboard 
the  said  Canoe  and  came  to  us ;  fortunate  in  that  they  had 
not   been   discover'd  by   the   Natives,    during  their   Stay 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  iii 

Ashore,  which  was  for  the  Space  of  three  Months,  and  in  June  1686 
finding  the  Canoe  to  bring  them  back. 

When  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  went  away,  the  Sieur  Barbier 
had  taken  upon  him  to  go  a  hunting,  as  also  to  provide 
Bark  to  cover  our  Houses,  instead  of  Hides,  because  the 
Sun  drying  and  contracting  them,  Part  of  the  Top  of  our 
Buildings  was  uncovered.  I  farther  enjoyn'd  him  to  cut 
Stakes,  to  make  a  Palisade  about  our  Dwelling,  and  the 
Sieur  Chedeville  having  told  me  they  had  bury'd  several 
Things  they  could  not  bring  away,  I  sent  the  Sieur  Barbier 
with  two  Canoes  and  fifteen  Men  to  the  Place,  where  they 
found  some  Pedreroes,^  Rigging  and  Sails.  The  Natives 
having  discover'd  the  Concealment,  had  taken  away  some 
Pieces  of  Linen  and  Iron  Tools,  which  they  very  much 
covet. 

The  Sieur  Barbier  after  his  Return,  continuing  his  Exer- 
cise of  hunting,  happened  to  meet  with  a  Parcel  of  the 
Natives,  some  of  whom  had  Firelocks,  which  they  had  taken  Encounter 
from  our  Men,  and  with  which  they  made  some  Shots  at  jy*'^wj^ 
him,  but  very  weak;  and  he  firing  three  or  four  Shot  at 
them  they  retired.  He  was  then  in  a  Canoe  on  the  River, 
and  design'd  to  have  gone  upwards;  but  that  Rancounter 
having  oblig'd  him  to  take  another  Way,  and  the  Savages 
perceiving  it,  eight  of  them  swam  over  the  River,  hasten- 
ing to  get  before  the  Canoe,  hid  themselves  among  the 
Weeds,  near  the  Way  he  was  to  pass,  and  when  he  was 
near  enough,  let  fly  their  Arrows,  which  wounded  several 
Men.  One  Shot  the  Sieur  Barbier  made,  put  them  all  to 
Flight  again;  he  held  on  his  Way  and  returned  to  our 
Habitation. 

Some  Days  after,  we  perceiv'd  a  Herd  of  Bullocks  fly- 
ing, and  guess'd  they  were  pursued  by  the  Savages,  which 
afterwards  appeared  to  be  true.  Some  of  them  drew  near  to 
our  Habitation,  but  a  Cannon  Shot,  I  pointed  towards  the 
Gang  of  them,  and  a  Musket-shot  Monsieur  Barbier  fired  at 
the  nearest,  made  them  all  fly  farther  off. 

^Fr.  "pierriers" — swivel-guns.    C.  C.  edit. 


112  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


June  1686 


The  Sieur 

Barbier 

marries. 


Accidents 
concerning 
the  Reco- 
lets. 


Duhaut 
Endeavours 
to  occasion 
-a  Mutiny. 


When  the  Sieur  Barbier  went  out  a  Hunting,  I  com- 
monly sent  with  him  some  Women  and  Maids,  to  help  the 
Hunters  to  dress  and  dry  the  Flesh;  but  being  informed 
that  he  us'd  to  slip  aside  from  the  Company,  with  a  young 
Maid  he  had  a  Kindness  for,  and  which  gave  Occasion  to 
some  well-grounded  Railleries ;  the  said  Barbier  being  told 
I  was  acquainted  with  that  Affair,  came  and  spoke  to  me 
in  private,  desiring  Leave  to  marry  that  young  Woman,  I 
made  some  Difficulty  of  it  at  first,  advising  him  to  stay  till 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  returned ;  but  at  last,  considering  they 
might  have  anticipated  upon  Matrimony,  I  took  the  Ad- 
vice of  the  Recolet  Fathers,  and  of  Monsieur  Chedeville 
the  Priest,  and  allowed  them  to  marry.  Monsieur  le  Mar- 
quis de  la  Sabloniere  following  this  Example,  ask'd  the 
same  Liberty,  being  in  Love  with  a  young  Maid,  which  I 
absolutely  refused,  and  forbid  them  seeing  one  another. 

Some  Time  pass'd  in  which  Nothing  happen'd  to  us 
worth  obsenang;  however,  I  will  mention  two  Things 
which  befell  our  Recolet  Fathers.  One  was,  That  Father 
Anastasius,  being  a  hunting  Bullocks  with  me,  and  com- 
ing too  near  one  I  had  shot,  and  was  fallen,  the  Beast,  as 
much  hurt  as  he  was,  started  up,  attack' d  and  threw  him 
down ;  he  had  much  ado  to  get  off,  and  I  to  rescue  him,  be- 
cause I  durst  not  shoot  for  Fear  of  killing  him.  The  Bul- 
lock being  weak,  fell  again;  the  Father  was  deliver'd,  but 
lay  ill  some  Months.  The  other  was,  That  Father  Max- 
imus  had  writ  some  Memoirs  concerning  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale's  Conduct,  condemning  him  upon  several  Occasions. 
I  was  told  of  it,  found  Means  to  get  those  Memoirs,  threw 
them  into  the  Fire,  and  so  the  Father  came  oft*. 

About  the  same  Time,  most  of  our  Men  seeing  l^'T  on  sieur 
de  le  Sale  did  not  return,  began  to  mutter.  The  Sieur 
Duhaut  J  who  perhaps  had  been  the  first  Fomenter  of  tliose 
Discontents,  back'd  the  Complaints  of  the  disgusted  Party, 
promised  them  great  Matters  under  his  Conduct,  and  of- 
fered to  supply  them  with  such  Effects  as  he  had  in  Pos- 
session, endeavouring,  as  I  suppose,  by  those  Means,  to 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  113 

gain  their  Affections,  for  a  mischievous  Design,  which  it  is  June  1686 
likely  he  had  even  then  conceived. 

It  was  not  long  before,  I  had  Intimation  of  the  whole 
Affair,  and  I  had  done  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  a  singular 
Piece  of  Service,  had  I  then  put  to  Death  the  Person,  who 
was  to  be  his  Murderer ;  but  I  rested  satisfy'd  with  giving 
him  a  severe  Reprimand,  and  threatening  to  cause  him  to 
be  secured  if  he  persisted,  being  able  to  do  no  other  under 
my  present  Circumstances.  However,  I  talk'd  to  all  con- 
cern'd,  and  put  them  in  such  Hopes  of  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale's  Return,  and  that  Things  would  soon  change  to  their 
Satisfaction,  that  they  were  all  pacify'd. 

But  in  Regard,  that  Idleness  often  occasions  Uneasiness 
and  Impatience,  I  us'd  all  possible  Means  to  keep  them 
employed,  in  the  most  obliging  Manner  I  could,  setting 
some  to  cut  down  the  Bushes  about  our  Dwelling,  others 
to  hew  down  Trees,  that  hinder' d  the  Prospect,  others 
mow'd  the  Grass,  that  fresh  might  grow  up  for  our  Cattle, 
and  at  Night  I  made  them  divert  themselves  with  Dancing 
and  Singing. 

Whilst  we  thus  pass'd  away  the  Time  the  best  we  could. 

Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  penetrated  very  far  up  into  the  M.  de  la 

Sale's  £' 
coveries. 


Country,  inclining  towards  the  Northern  Part  of  Mexico.  ^^^^^  ^*^' 


He  had  travell'd  through  several  Nations,  the  Inhabitants 
whereof  were,  for  the  most  Part,  sociable,  and  had  con- 
cluded a  Sort  of  Alliance  with  them,  and  particularly  with 
the  Cenis  and  others  whose  names  I  shall  mention.  He 
had  discover'd  charming  Countries  abounding  in  all  Things 
that  could  be  wish'd,  as  well  for  Sustenance,  as  for  making 
of  easy  Settlements,  and  after  he  and  his  Nephew  Moranget 
had  escap'd  two  Dangerous  Sicknesses,  he  retum'd  to  our 
Habitation,  with  five  Horses  he  had  purchas'd,  and  arriv'd 
at  it  in  August  1686. 

Hearing  of  his  Voice,  I  was  one  of  the  first  that  ran  to-  His  Return, 
wards  the  River:    We  took  our  Canoes  to  bring  him,  his 
Luggage  and  some  Provisions  over,  and  the  Horses  swam. 
We  were  extraordinary  glad  to  see  our  Commander  in 
8 


114         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Sept  1686  Chief  return  safe,  tho'  his  Journey  had  not  advanced  his 
Design.  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  not  found  out  his  River, 
nor  been  towards  the  Islinois  as  we  had  hoped.  Only  eight 
Men  returned  with  him  of  twenty  he  carry' d  out,  and  all 
the  visible  advantage  of  that  Journey  consisted  in  five 
Horses,  laden  with  Indian  Wheat,  Beans  and  some  other 
Grain,  which  was  put  into  the  Store. 
7  Men  lost  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  ask'd  me,  as  soon  as  he  came,  whether 
amf  4  de-  ^-^^  Sieurs  Clerc,  Hurie,  Duhaut  the  younger  and  two 
others  were  come,  because  they  not  being  able  to  endure 
the  Fatigue  of  the  Journey,  he  had  given  them  Leave  to 
return,  and  hearing  they  were  not,  he  concluded  the  Sav- 
ages had  killed  them.  We  were  also  informed,  that  the 
Sieur  Bihorel,  had  stray'd  and  was  lost,  so  that  there  had 
been  no  News  of  him  since ;  that  one  of  Monsr.  de  la  Sale's 
Servants  had  been  dragged  down  to  the  Bottom  of  the 
Water  and  devoured  by  an  Alligator,  and  that  four  others 
had  deserted  and  abandoned  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  when  he 
was  about  the  Country  of  the  Cents. 
M.  de  la  This  was  a  very  dismal  and  deplorable  Account ;  but  the 

soher~upon  ^^^^  Temper  of  our  Chief  made  all  Men  easy,  and  he 
o  third  Ex-  found,  by  his  great  Vivacity  of  Spirit,  Expedients,  which 
pedition.  reviv'd  the  lowest  Ebb  of  Hope.  He  rejoiced  at  the  Re- 
turn and  Sight  of  M.  Chedeville,  he  was  pleas'd  at  the  Re- 
covering of  his  Cloaths  and  Part  of  his  Papers ;  and  after 
some  Time  of  Rest,  he  proposed  to  undertake  a  Journey 
towards  the  Islinois,  and  to  make  it  the  main  Business,  by 
the  Way,  to  find  the  Missuipi;  but  it  was  thought  proper 
to  let  the  great  Heats  pass,  before  that  Enterprize  was 
taken  in  Hand. 

In  the  mean  Time,  he  gave  Orders  tO'  stake  about  a  Place 
to  make  a  New  Magazine,  or  Storehouse.  He  put  to  that 
Use  the  Timber  I  had  caus'd  to  be  cut,  and  would  have 
more  provided  for  the  same  Use.  Detachments  being  sent 
to  work,  seven  or  eight  of  our  Men,  who  were  sent  with 
the  Sieur  Barhier,  were  discover'd  by  the  Savages,  who 
being  superior  in  Number,  made  as  if  they  would  hem 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  115 

them  in ;  but  each  of  our  Men  having  taken  a  Tree  upon  Oct.  1686 

their  Shoulders  and  fir'd  their  Pieces,  which  made  one  of 

the  Natives  drop,  the  others  took  him  up  and  withdrew. 

Yet  it  was  not  long  before  they  were  reveng'd,  for  they 

kill'd  us  two  Men,  one  of  them  close  by  our  Dwelling,  and  Two  Men 

the  other,  who  had  separated  from  the  rest  of  the  Company  '^*^^'^- 

to  gather  Purslain,  and  could  not  be  reliev'd. 

There  being  every  Day  some  Discourse  of  the  Journey 
to  the  Islinois,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  ask'd  me  one  Day, 
whether  I  would  make  one  of  the  Company,  and  go  by  the 
Way  of  Canada  to  France  for  Succours.  I  assured  him  I 
was  entirely  devoted  to  his  Will,  and  would  faithfully  at- 
tend him.  Then  he  began  by  Degrees  to  provide  what  he 
thought  necessary  for  that  Expedition.  I  had  two  Pair  of 
Sheets,  which  he  took,  to  make  him  Linen.  Canvas  Cloaths 
were  made  of  the  Sails  of  the  Bark  la  Belle.  The  Sieur 
Duhant  having  Linen,  he  took  some  to  distribute  among 
several  Persons.  Thus  he  hasted  on  the  Expedition  of  his 
Design,  but  an  Accident  put  it  off. 

It  was  occasioned  by  a  Flux  which  troubled  Monsieur  Nov.  1686 
de  la  Sale,  who  having  told  me  he  could  not  perform  that 
Journey,  as  long  as  he  continued  in  such  condition,  I  of- 
fer'd  to  undertake  it  for  him,  if  he  would  allow  me  his 
Indian,  and  about  fifteen  Men;  but  he  answer'd,  That  his 
Presence  was  requisite  among  the  hlinois,  and  that  it  was 
requisite  his  Brother  should  go  to  France.  Thus  he  re- 
fus'd  my  Offer,  and  could  not  shun  the  ill  Fate  of  that 
Journey. 

We  spent  some  Time  longer  after  this  Manner,  during  Dec.  1686 
the  which,  there  arose  a  Controversy  about  the  Privileges  Controversy 
the  King  grants  to  the  First-born  of  the  French  Colonies  a^^«/ 
in  America.      The  Sieur  Barhier's  wife  was  with  Child, 
and  he  claim'd  the  Privilege  granted  for  that  Child.     The 
Widow  Talon  had  a  Child  bom  in  the  Passage  from  France 
to  America,  and  alledg'd,  that  her  Child,  tho'  born  before 
our  Arrival,  ought  to  be  preferred ;  but  the  Sieur  Barhier's 
Wife  miscarrying,  the  Dispute  was  not  decided. 


Ii6         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Jan.  1687 


Who  were 
left  in  the 
Settlement 
when  M. 
de  la  Sale 
departed. 


Persons 
that  set  out 
with  M.  de 
la  Sale. 


Monsieur  de  la  Sale  being  recovered  of  his  Indisposition, 
Preparations  were  again  made  for  his  Journey ;  but  we  first 
kept  the  Christmas  Holy-Days.  The  Midnight  Mass  was 
solemnly  sung,  and  on  Twelve-Day,  we  cry'd.  The  King 
drinks,  (according  to  the  Custom  of  France)  tho'  we  had 
only  Water:  When  that  was  over  we  began  to  think  of 
setting  out.  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  gave  the  Command  of 
the  Settlement  to  the  Sieur  Barhier,  directing  him  what  he 
was  to  do  and  observe  in  his  Absence. 

There  remainM  in  that  Habitation,  the  Fathers  Maximus 
and  Zenobius,  Recolets,  Monsieur  Chedeville,  the  Priest, 
the  Marquis  de  la  Sablonniere,  the  Sieur  Barhier,  Com- 
mander, his  Wife,  a  Surgeon  and  others,  to  the  Number  of 
twenty,  among  whom  were  seven  Women,  or  Maids,  and 
only  the  Sieur  Barbier  marry'd;  which  is  much  short  of 
the  Number  some  have  given  out  remain' d  in  the  Dwelling, 
without  any  Ground ;  for  the  Truth  is,  there  were  no  more, 
and  particularly  no  Natives,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  having 
absolutely  forbid  holding  any  Communication  with  them. 
As  for  Beasts,  they  amounted  to  seventy,  or  seventy  five 
Swine,  great  and  small,  which  was  a  good  Stock ;  for  Fowl, 
eighteen  or  twenty  Hens;  some  Casks  of  Meal,  which  was 
kept  for  the  Sick;  Powder,  Ball,  and  eight  Pieces  of  Can- 
non, without  any  Bullets. 

We  set  out  the  12th  of  January,  in  the  Year  1687,  being 
seventeen  in  Number,  vis.  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  Monsieur 
Cavelier,  the  Priest,  his  Brother,  Father  Anastasius,  the 
Recolet,  Messieurs  Moranget  and  Cavelier,  Nephews  to 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  the  Sieurs  Duhaut,  the  Elder,  VArcle- 
veque,^  Hiens,  Liotot,  Surgeon,  young  Talon,  an  Indian, 
and  a  Footman  belonging  to  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  We 
carried  along  with  us  Part  of  the  best  Things  every  Man 
had,  and  what  was  thought  would  be  of  Use,  wherewith 
the  five  Horses  were  loaded,  and  we  took  our  Leaves  with 
so  much  Tenderness  and  Sorrow,  as  if  we  had  all  presaged, 


1  Should  be  Archeveque. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  117 

that  we  should  never  see  each  other  more.     Father  Zeno-  Jan.  1687 
hius  was  the  Person  who  expressed  it  to  me  most  signifi- 
cantly,  saying,  He  had  never  been  so  sensibly  touch'd  at 
parting  with  any  Body. 

We  went  that  Day  to  the  Place  we  call'd  le  Boucon,  be-  The  Way 
cause  there,  we  had  often  dry'd  Flesh,  (which  the  French  *^^y  .„ , 
call  Boucanner  from  the  Indian  Word)  This  Place  was 
not  far  from  our  Habitation.  The  13th,  we  crossed  a 
Plain,  about  two  Leagues  over,  where  we  saw  several 
Herds  of  Beeves  and  Flocks  of  Goats,  Turkeys,  Bustards, 
and  other  Sorts  of  Wild  Fowl.  We  met  with  Marshy 
Lands,  which  tired  our  Horses,  and  came  to  a  Wood  that 
terminates  the  Plain,  across  which,  runs  a  Branch  of  a 
River,  full  of  Reeds,  by  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  call'd  the 
Princess's  River.  That  Branch  joins  the  other,  and  they 
both  fell  together  into  the  Bay  of  St.  Lewis. 

We  kiird  five  Beeves  at  the  Entrance  into  the  Wood, 
forded  the  River,  and  incamp'd  Half  a  League  beyond  it, 
whence  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  sent  Men  with  Horses,  to 
bring  the  Flesh  of  the  Bullocks  we  had  kill'd;  the  Hides 
of  them,  which  serv'd  to  cover  us,  being  very  useful  against 
a  violent  Shower  of  Rain  that  fell. 

The  14th,  the  Rain  ceasing,  we  travell'd  over  another 
spacious  Plain,  where  there  is  a  Multitude  of  Beeves  and 
Wild  Fowl.  We  saw  several  Tracks,  leading  every  Way, 
made  by  the  Bullocks,  of  which  we  saw  several  Herds, 
some  moving  on  hastily,  and  others  running  out-right, 
which  made  us  suppose  they  were  drove  by  the  Natives. 
In  short,  having  halted  to  help  up  one  of  our  Horses  that 
was  fallen,  we  saw  an  Indian  following  them  very  close. 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  caus'd  a  Horse  to  be  immediately  un- 
loaded, which  a  Man  mounting,  rode  after,  overtook  and 
brought  the  Indian. 

When  the  Savage  saw  himself  among  us,  he  concluded 
he  was  a  lost  Man,  he  quak'd  for  Fear,  and  not  without 
Reason,  for  most  of  our  Men  had  resolv'd  to  kill  him; 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  opposed  it,  alledging,  that  we  were  but 


ii8         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Jan.  1687  a  small  Number,  that  very  few  were  left  l)ehind  at  the 
Habitation,  and  therefore  we  ought  not  to  render  our  selves 
odious  to  the  Natives,  but  to  use  them  kindly,  that  we 
might  have  Peace;  an  infallible  Maxim,  the  Practice  of 
which  might  have  been  fortunate  to  him,  had  he  followed  it 
sooner. 

He  therefore  cans' d  a  Fire  to  be  made,  gave  him  to  Eat 
and  Smoke,  and  afterwards  a  Bit  of  Roll-Tabacco,  and 
some  other  Trifles.  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  gave  him  to  un- 
derstand, that  he  came  not  to  hurt  any  Man,  but  to  settle 
Peace  in  all  Places,  and  so  dismissed  him.  The  Indian 
recover'd  himself  a  little  of  his  Fright;  but  being  still  dubi- 
ous, what  his  Fate  might  be,  he  at  first  walk'd  away  gently, 
still  looking  about  him,  and  when  at  a  good  Distance,  made 
off  as  fast  as  he  could.  We  held  on  our  Way,  and  soon 
after  saw  another  Indian  running  after  the  Bullocks.  Mon- 
sieur de  la  Sale  caused  him  to  be  taken,  brought  to  us,  and 
treated  as  the  first  had  been. 

We  had  not  gone  far  before  we  spy'd  a  Company  of 
Natives  coming  towards  us,  on  our  left,  but  we  held  on 
our  Way,  till  they  were  over  against  us,  when  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale  caus'd  us  to  halt.  The  Savages  seeing  us  halt, 
stood  still  also,  which  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  perceiving,  he 
laid  his  Firelock  on  the  Ground,  and  advanc'd  towards 
them,  making  signs  to  him  that  Commanded  them,  who 
was  a  handsome  Man,  to  draw  near.  That  Indian  came 
forward,  and  was  follow' d  by  the  rest,  all  of  them  Caress- 
ing us  after  their  Manner,  which  we  retum'd  the  best  we 
were  able,  and  then  made  them  Smoak. 
Natives  en-  Next  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  gave  them  to  understand,  that 
tertatn'd.  ^^  wtTO  going  towards  the  Cenis,  that  we  desir'd  to  be  at 
Peace  with  them  all,  and  that  we  would  return  to  our  o^wn 
Country,  whence  we  would  bring  them  all  they  had  Occa- 
sion for.  Then  we  distributed  among  them  some  Bits  of 
Roll-Tabacco,  some  Strings  of  Beads  and  Knives,  which 
they  seem'd  to  be  pleas'd  with,  and  all  this  was  done  by 
Signs.     Then  every  Man  went  his  own  Way:     We  ad- 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  119 

vanc'd  half  a  League  farther,  to  get  into  a  Wood,  where  /aji.  1687 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  encampM  when  he  went  that  Way 
before;  we  cut  down  Trees  to  secure  our  Post,  and  lay- 
there  that  Night. 

Before  our  Intrenchment  was  finished,  we  discovered, 
first  one  Indian,  then  two,  and  afterwards  three,  coming 
one  after  another ;  which  giving  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  some 
Jealousy,  he  cans' d  us  to  handle  our  Arms,  with  Orders  to 
stand  upon  our  Guard,  for  fear  of  being  surpriz'd,  and 
went  towards  them.  They  signify'd  to  him,  that  their 
People  had  told  them,  we  did  not  hurt  any  Body,  which 
was  very  well,  and  that  they  were  come  to  see  us.  They 
were  entertain'd  as  the  others  had  been,  and  then  Signs 
were  made  them  to  withdraw,  because  Night  drew  on,  and 
having  observ'd,  that  they  took  Notice  of  our  fortifying 
our  selves,  w^e  kept  a  good  Guard  all  the  Night,  without 
any  Disturbance. 

The  Fifteenth,  we  march'd  on,  intending  to  find  out  a 
Ford,  in  the  River  called  of  the  Princess,  where  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale  had  pass'd  before;  but  missing  of  it,  and  the 
River  being  swollen,  we  were  oblig'd  to  go  up  higher, 
sometimes  crossing  curious^  Meadows,  and  sometimes 
Woods  of  tall  Trees^  of  several  Sorts,  but  all  Young  of 
the  same  Thickness  and  strait,  looking  as  if  they  had  been 
planted  by  a  Line.  The  River  running  through  the  midst  ^  ^'*^ 
of  those  curious  shady  Groves,^  which  were  also  watered  by 
several  little  Brooks  of  very  clear  and  good  Water,  afforded 
a  most  delightful  Landskip. 

We  also  met  with  some  Woods  so  thich,  that  it  was  Thick 
requisite  to  hew  a  Passage  for  the  Horses.     Towards  the 
Evening  we  kill'd  a  Bullock,  and  went  to  incamp  in  a  little 
Coppice,  with  our  usual  Precautions. 

The  1 6th,  we  continued  our  Journey,  still  following  the 
River  upwards,  and  from  Time  to  Time  meeting  the  same 

^  Fr.  "  belles  prairies  "  —  meaning,  in  this  case,  fine  or  beautiful. 
2Fr.  "belles  fiitayes." 
3Fr.  "beaux  ombrages." 


I20         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Ian,  1687 


Wild  Fowl. 


An  Indian 

Village 

abandon'd. 


Buskins  of 
raw  Hides 
instead  of 
Shoes, 


Sort  of  Pasture  Grounds^  and  the  Obstacles  of  Woods, 
where  we  were  fain  to  cut  our  Way  through,  which 
fatigued  us  very  much;  but  the  Plenty  of  wild  Fowl,  and 
particularly  of  Turkeys,  whereof  we  killed  many,  was  an 
Ease  to  our  Sufferings,  and  Help  to  bear  our  Toil  with 
more  Satisfaction. 

The  17th,  was  a  very  toilsome  Day's  Journey,  by  Reason 
of  the  Woods  and  Rivulets  we  were  to  cross;  after  which 
we  came  to  a  little  Hill,  on  which  there  were  2  or  300  Cot- 
tages of  the  Natives.  Those  Huts  were  like  large  Ovens, 
consisting  of  long  Poles  stuck  in  the  Earth  in  a  Circle,  and 
joyning  above  to  make  the  Dome  or  round  Top.^  They 
had  been  a  Dwelling  of  the  Natives,  who  being  gone,  had 
carry'd  away  the  Hides  that  cover'd  them,  and  the  Mats 
which  are  us'd  to  hang  the  Insides,  and  to  make  their 
beds  of. 

After  a  March  of  some  Hours,  our  Indian  having  found 
a  Herd  of  Beeves,  we  kill'd  seven  or  eight,  took  the  best 
of  the  Meat,  and  held  on  our  Way  across  a  Wood.  We 
ford'd  a  Branch  of  the  River,  and  proceeded  to  the  Bank 
of  another,  the  Bottom  whereof  being  foul,  we  incamp'd 
on  the  Edge  of  it,  and  the  Rain  falling  at  Night  and  con- 
tinuing all  the  next  Day,  were  oblig'd  to  stay  there. 

The  19th,  the  Rain  ceasing,  we  proceeded  through  a  thick 
Fog,  and  over  Places  where  the  Water  was  often  up  to 
our  Knees,  and  sometimes  higher;  which,  together  with 
our  being  forc'd  to  cut  the  Way  athwart  the  Bushes,  with 
our  Hatchets,  gave  us  inexpressible  Trouble,  and  it  had 
been  much  greater,  had  we  not  resolv'd  to  follow  the  Ways 
beaten  by  the  Bullocks,  whom  a  natural  Instinct  always 
leads  to  those  Parts  which  are  easiest  to  pass. 

We  were  not  free  from  another  Inconveniency  in  those 
Tracks,  which  was  their  being  full  of  Water  and  very 
rugged,  a  Thing  no  Way  agreeable  to  our  Shoes,  which 
were  no  other  than  a  Piece  of  Bullocks  Hide  or  Goats  Skin 


1  Fr.  "  les  memes  paisages." 
2Fr.  "dome." 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  121 

quite  green,  whereof  we  made  a  sort  of  Buskins,  to  serve  Jan,  1687 
instead   of   Shoes,   but  when  those  wretch'd   Boots  were  ' 

dry'd  by  the  Heat,  upon  our  Feet,  they  hurt  us  very  much, 
and  we  were  often  obHg'd  to  set  our  Feet  in  the  Water  to 
soften  those  Buskins.  However,  we  march' d  all  the  Day, 
notwithstanding  all  those  Inconveniences,  without  finding 
a  proper  Place  to  incamp,  and  at  last  came  to  a  River, 
whose  high  Bank  afforded  us  a  Spot  to  rest  on. 

The  20th,  a  small  Rain  did  not  obstruct  our  March,  and 
having  crossed  a  Wood,  half  a  League  athwart,  and  a 
Marsh  of  the  same  Extent,  we  came  into  a  large  Plain, 
cut  across  by  great  Tracks  of  Bullocks,  which  went  to- 
wards the  River,  and  made  us  suppose  there  might  be  a 
Ford.  We  followed  that  W^ay,  but  found  the  River  so 
swollen,  and  its  Stream  so  rapid,  that  it  was  impossible  to 
cross  it,  but  were  oblig'd  to  halt  upon  its  Bank,  whence  we 
went  to  hunt  Bullocks,  whereof  we  had  no  want,  nor  of 
Turkeys  and  other  wild  Fowl. 

The  2ith,  we  proceeded  up  that  River,  and  found  a  nar- 
row deep  Place,  near  which  we  hew'd  down  a  Tree,  mak- 
ing it  fall  so  as  to  reach  from  the  one  Bank  to  the  other,  in 
the  Nature  of  a  Plank,  and  handed  our  Baggage  from  one 
to  another  over  it.  The  Horses  swam  over  and  we  in- 
camp'd  on  the  other  Side,  near  a  very  beautiful  Plain. 

Whilst  we  were  hewing  down  some  little  Wood  to  in-  Hebahamo, 
trench  ourselves,  we  heard  a  Voice,  whereupon  handling  Indian 
our  Arms  and  going  to  the  Place  where  we  heard  it,  we 
saw  a  Company  of  fifteen  Savages,  who  were  coming  to- 
wards us,  and  made  Signs  to  us  to  go  to  them,  laying  down 
their  Bows,  in  Token  of  Peace.  We  also  made  our  Sign 
to  them  to  draw  near,  they  did  so  and  caressed  us  after 
their  Manner.  We  made  them  sit  down  and  smoke,  after 
which,  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  began  to  converse  with  them  by 
Signs,  and  by  Help  of  some  Words  of  the  Language  of 
the  Cents,  which  he  was  skilful  in,  he  understood,  that 
these  were  their  Neighbours  and  Allies;  that  their  Village 
was  not  far  off,  and  that  their  Nation  was  caird  Heba- 


122  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Jan.  1687  hamo.  Some  small  Presents  were  given  them,  and  they 
withdrew,  promising  to  return  the  next  Day. 

The  22th,  our  Horses  being  spent  and  hurt,  and  we 
much  tir'd,  the  Day  was  given  to  Rest,  and  the  Natives 
did  not  fail  to  come,  being  twenty  five  in  Number,  some 
of  whom  had  Bucklers  or  Targets  made  of  the  strongst 
Part  of  the  Bullocks  Hides.  They  gave  us  to  understand, 
that  they  were  ingag'd  in  War  towards  the  NW.  and  told 
us,  they  had  seen  Men  like  us,  who  were  but  ten  Days 
Journey  from  that  Place.  Other  Tokens  they  gave,  made 
us  suppose  it  was  New  Spain  that  they  talk'd  of. 

Monsr.  de  la  Sale  took  several  Words  of  their  Language, 
which  is  very  different  from  that  of  the  Cenis,  and  more 
difficult.  As  for  their  Customs,  they  are  much  alike.  In 
fine,  having  shewn  us,  that  towards  the  N.  W.  we  should 
meet  with  Plains,  where  the  Way  would  be  easier,  and  we 
should  shun  the  Woods,  we  gave  them  to  eat,  and  some 
Presents,  and  they  took  Leave  of  us.  A  Rain  falling  and 
holding  all  the  Night,  we  did  not  march  the  24th.  The 
25th,  we  travell'd  not  far,  by  Reason  of  the  Rains  continu- 
ing, and  that  there  were  several  Rivers  in  the  Way  much 
swollen. 

The  1 6th,  we  proceeded  on  our  Journey,  and  came  to  the 
River  call'd  la  Sabloniere,  irom  the  many  Sand  Banks  there 
are  in  it.  The  2yih,^  departing  from  it,  we  came  to  another 
little  narrow  River,  but  very  deep;  going  up  higher  we 
found  a  Ford,  and  went  to  incamp  beyond  it,  in  a  little 
Wood,  where  we  had  a  very  bad  Night,  because  of  the 
Rain  which  fell  again,  and  the  overflowing  of  the  River, 
which  obliged  us  to  make  a  little  Sort  of  Scaffold,  to  lay 
our  Powder  and  Cloaths  on,  that  they  might  not  be  wet. 
The  next  Day  being  the  28th,^  observing  that  the  Water 
was  still  rising,  we  decamp' d  to  go  a  League  farther,  to  a 

iFr.  "26th." 

2  Fr.  "  le  lendemain  27."    [The  original  appears  to  be  wrong,  and  the 
correction  extends  to  the  three  following  dates.]     m.  b.  a. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  123 

higher  Ground,  where  we  made  a  great  Fire  to  warm  and  Feb.  1687 
dry  us. 

We  took  Notice  the  Country  was  very  good,  the  Plains 
extending  as  far  as  the  Eye  could  reach,  and  adorn'd  with 
many  little  Coppices,  affording  a  very  agreeable  Prospect. 
We  march'd  over  Part  of  them  the  29th  and  30th,  after  3 
Hours  Travel,  found  a  Way  full  of  Water,  which  obliged 
us  to  incamp  on  the  Bank  of  a  River;  pass'd  it  the  31th, 
and  incamp'd  in  a  Wood  close  by. 

The  next  Day,  being  the  First  of  February  1687,  Mon-  ym^^g  ,•„. 
sieur  da  la  Sale  left  me  to  guard  the  Camp,  and  took  along  habited. 
with  him,  Monsieur  Cavelier  his  Brother  and  seven  Men, 
to  go  see  whether  he  could  find  any  Body  in  several  Cot- 
tages our  Hunters  had  discover'd.  He  found  twenty  four 
or  twenty  five  of  them,  built  round  like  those  I  have  before 
mention'd,  standing  on  a  rising  Ground,  almost  encom- 
passed by  the  River,  in  each  of  which  there  were  four  or 
five  Men,  and  several  Women  and  Children. 

The  Savages  were  somewhat  surpriz'd  at  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale's  coming;  however  they  received  him  in  friendly  Man- 
ner, and  conducted  him  to  their  Commander's  Hut,  which 
was  immediately  fill'd  with  People,  who  came  to  see  him. 
The  Elders  came  together  there.  Bullocks  Hides  were  laid 
upon  the  Ground,  on  which  they  made  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
and  his  Company  sit  They  gave  them  hung  Beef  to  eat, 
and  then  signify'd  to  them  that  some  of  their  Allies  had 
given  them  Notice  of  our  being  in  the  Country,  and  that 
we  were  going  to  the  Cenis,  and  they  had  imagined  that  we 
would  pass  thro'  their  Country. 

Monsieur  de  la  Sale  presented  them  with  some  Knives 
and  Bits  of  Tabacco,  and  they  gave  him  Bullocks  Hides, 
very  well  dress'd  with  the  Hair,  they  gave  one  for  a  Knife, 
and  would  have  given  many  more,  but  that  we  told  to 
them,  that  we  had  no  Conveniency  to  carry  them  and  that 
if  they  had  any  Horses,  he  would  give  them  Axes  in  Ex- 
change.    They  answered,  they  had  but  two,  which  they 


124  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Feb.  1687 


la  Maligne 
River. 


Indian 
Rats, 


could  not  part  with.  It  being  late  when  Monsieur  de 
la  Sale  returned,  we  staid  there  the  rest  of  the  Day,  and 
several  Indians  came  to  see  us,  in  Hopes  of  receiving  some 
Present,  offering  us  Bullocks  Hides  dressed,  which  we 
would  not  burden  our  selves  with. 

The  Second,  we  set  out  again,  and  halted  some  Time  in 
that  Village,  where  by  the  Way  we  barter' d  for  some  Col- 
lars, or  a  Sort  of  Knots^  made  of  Bullocks  Hides  well 
dress' d,  which  the  Natives  make  Use  of  to  carry  their  Bur- 
dens, whether  of  Wood,  Utensils,  or  the  Meat  they  kill. 
They  prov'd  of  Use  both  to  us  and  our  Horses,  because  the 
Thongs  of  those  Collars  serv'd  to  make  fast  our  Burdens. 

We  proceeded  on  our  Journey,  through  a  Country  pleas- 
ant enough,  but  Sandy,  and  having  cross'd  a  large  Plain, 
came  to  the  Bank  of  a  fine  River,  call'd  la  Maligne,  or  the 
Mischievous,  because  in  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  former 
Journey,  an  Alligator  devour'd  one  of  his  Servants,  who 
was  swimming  over  it.  This  River  is  as  wide  as  the  Seine 
at  Roan,  seems  to  be  very  navigable  and  has  a  very  pleas- 
ant Country  about  it.  We  incamp'd  in  a  little  Wood  ad- 
joining to  it,  and  bark'd  the  Aspen  Trees  to  hut. 

Our  Hunters  kill'd  Beeves,  wild  Goats,  Turkeys  and 
other  Wild-Fowl,  and  among  the  rest  some  Creatures  as 
big  as  an  indifferent  Cat,  very  like  a  Rat,  having  a  Bag 
under  their  Throat,  in  which  they  carry  their  Young. 
They  feed  upon  Nuts  and  Acorns,  are  very  fat,  and  their 
Flesh  is  much  like  Pig. 

Hard  by  there,  we  found  a  Place  where  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale,  in  his  former  Journey  had  hid  some  Parcels  of 
Strings  of  Beads  in  the  Trunks  of  Trees,  and  we  rested 
there  till  the  Eighth  of  the  Month.  During  that  Time,  no 
Day  pass'd  without  seeing  some  of  the  Natives,  who  some- 
times spent  the  whole  Day  with  us,  and  said  they  were  of 
several  Nations.     We  made  them  smoke,  and  always  gave 


1  Fr.  "  bretelles  "—   carriers'  or  porters'  knots. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  125 

them  some  small  Presents.     They  admir'd  that  after  we  Feb.  1687 
had  writ  down  some  Words  they  spoke  to  us,  we  repeated 
them,  looking  on  the  Paper. 

Whilst  we  staid,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  set  Men  at  Work  Portable 
to  make  a  portable  Canoe,  of  long  Poles,  hew'd  and  joyn'd  ^^'»^'' 
and  then  covered  with  Bullocks  Hides  sew'd  together,  hav- 
ing puird  off  the  Hair  or  Wooll,  as  it  may  be  call'd  there. 
That  Canoe  was  of  great  Use  to  us,  to  c^oss  Rivers  as  well 
for  our  selves  as  for  our  Baggage,  but  the  Horses  swam 
over. 

The  Ninth,  we  put  our  Canoe  into  the  Water,  and  pass'd 
the  River  in  it,  and  incamp'd  half  a  League  from  thence, 
on  Account  of  the  Grass,  which  our  Horses  stood  in  Need 
of  to  recover  themselves  a  little.  The  Tenth,  we  held  on 
our  Journey,  crossing  several  spacious  Plains,  the  Grass 
whereof  was  burnt,  whence  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  concluded, 
that  there  were  many  Natives  thereabouts.  He  thought  it 
convenient  to  provide  Store  of  dry'd  Flesh,  for  Fear  we 
should  not  find  Game  in  the  Country  we  were  going  to 
enter  upon,  and  accordingly  caused  several  Beeves  to  be 
kiird  for  that  Purpose. 

For  that  Reason,  we  continued  there  till  the  12th,  when 
we  went  and  incamped  on  the  Bank  of  a  River,  which 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  in  his  former  Journey  caird 
d'Eure.  At  Night  there  arose  a  storm,  follow'd  by  Thun- 
der and  Rain,  which  swell' d  the  Streams,  and  obliged  us 
to  stay  there.  The  13th  and  14th  we  cross'd  four  or  five 
large  Rivulets,  and  then  a  fine  curious  Country,^  diversify'd 
with  several  little  Woods,  Hills  and  small  Brooks,  afford- 
ing a  delightful  Prospect.  That  pleasant  Country  was  ter- 
minated by  a  Wood,  which  we  were  to  cross,  and  were 
favoured  in  it  by  a  Way  beaten  by  the  Bullocks,  and  at 
Night  we  incamped  there. 

The  15th,  we  travel'd  along  a  fine  Meadow,  then  over 

1  Fr.  "  fort  beau  paisage  " —  i.  e.  pleasant. 


126         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Feb.  1687 


A  Village. 


Monsieur 
de  la  Sale 
well  re- 
ceived by 
the  Na- 
tives. 


Names  of 
Nations  or 
Tribes. 


Plains  that  had  been  burnt,  and  at  Night  went  to  take  our 
Rest  on  the  Bank  of  a  small  Rivulet,  about  which  we  saw 
several  Footsteps  of  Natives,  which  made  us  conclude  we 
were  not  far  from  them;  and  therefore  we  doubled  our 
Guard,  to  prevent  being  surpriz'd. 

The  1 6th,  Alonsieur  de  la  Sale  left  me  at  the  Guard  of 
the  Camp,  and  took  Monsieur  Cavelier  his  Brother,  and 
seven  Men  with  him,  to  go  find  out  the  Indians.  They 
had  not  gone  half  a  League  before  they  spied  Horses  and 
a  Number  of  Cottages,  without  being  themselves  seen  by 
the  Savages.  That  Village  stood  on  the  Side  of  a  Hill, 
and  contained  about  forty  Huts,  standing  together,  besides 
several  others  straggling. 

When  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  entered  the  Village,  the  Sav- 
ages seeing  him,  came  to  meet  and  conduct  him  to  the 
Cottage  of  their  Chief,  where  he  and  his  Company  were 
seated  on  Bullocks  Hides.  The  Elders  being  come,  he  sig- 
nify'd  to  them  the  Occasion  of  his  Coming,  as  he  had  done 
to  the  other  Nations,  with  which  they  seem'd  to  rest  sat- 
isfy'd.  Some  Presents  were  made  them,  according  to  Cus- 
tom, and  they  offered  him  a  Quantity  of  Hides,  which  he 
refused,  telling  them,  that  when  he  retum'd  from  the  Cents 
he  would  trade  with,  and  furnish  them  with  all  they  had 
Occasion  for.  They  confirm' d  what  the  others  had  told 
us,  concerning  a  Nation,  where  some  of  them  had  been, 
the  Men  whereof  were  like  us,  meaning  the  Spaniards. 
He  nam'd  to  them  the  Nations  we  had  pass'd  through 
from  our  Dwelling  of  St.  Lewis,  to  the  River  MaligfiCj 
which  we  had  lately  pass'd.  The  Names  of  those  Nations 
are  as  follows. 

The  Spicheats,  Kahayes,  Thecamons,  Theauremets,  Kia- 
hoba,  Choumenes,  Kenans,  Arhan,  Enepiahe,  Ahonerhopi- 
heim,  Korenkake,  Korkone,  Omeaosse,  Kerenien,  Ahehoen, 
Maghai,  Thecamenes,  Otenmarhem,  Kavagan  and  Meror- 
couman.  These  are  the  Nations  that  lay  on  our  Road; 
those  on  the  West  and  North  West  of  the  said  River  were 
the  Kannehonan,    Tohaka,   Pehir,    Coyahegux,    Onapien, 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  127 

Pichar,  Tohan,  Kiasses,  Chanzes,  Tsera,  Bocrettes,  Tsepe-  Peb.  1687 
hoen,  Fercouteha,  Panego,  Petao,  Petzares,  Peisacho,  Pet- 
hoiim  and  Orcampion} 

Those  we  were  with  then,  were  caird  Teao,  whom  we 
had  not  before  hear'd  nam'd.  They  talk'd  of  a  great  Na- 
tion caird  Ayona  and  Canohatino,  who  were  at  War  with 
the  Spaniards^  from  whom  they  stole  Horses,  and  told  us, 
that  one  hundred  Spaniards  were  to  have  come  to  join  the 
Cents,  to  carry  on  that  War,  but  that  having  heard  of  our 
March,  they  went  back.  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  gave  them  to 
understand,  that  we  were  at  War  with  the  Spaniards,  and 
that  we  fear'd  them  not ;  and  that  he  was  sent  on  their  Ac- 
count by  the  great  captain  of  the  World,  who  had  charged 
him  to  do  them  all  Good,  and  to  assist  them  in  their  Wars 
against  such  Nations  as  were  their  Enemies. 

Those  Savages  gave  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  Notice,  that  he 
would  find  three  of  our  Men  among  the  Cenis,  which  put 
him  in  Hopes  they  were  those  he  had  given  Leave  to  de- 
part at  his  former  Journey,  and  of  whom  h^  had  never 
since  heard.  He  proposed  to  them  to  barter  for  Horses; 
but  they  had  caus'd  them  to  be  convey' d  out  of  the  Way, 
for  Fear  we  should  take  them  away,  excepting  only  one 
Bay,  which  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  agreed  for  and  returned, 
to  us. 


1  Kiahoha, 

Fr. 

Kiahoha 

Choumenes, 

Chaumenes. 

Arhan, 

Arhan 

Enepiahe, 

Enepiah(B 

Ahonerhopiheim, 

Ahouerhopiheim 

Korenkake, 

Koienkahe 

Korkone, 

Konkone 

Maghai, 

Meghai 

Thecamanes, 

Tecamenes 

Kavagan, 

Kavayan 

Kannehonan, 

Kannehoiian 

Tohaka, 

Tohaha 

Chanzes, 

Chancres 

Orcampion, 

Orcampieou 

Ayona, 

Ayano 

Canohatino, 

Canohatinno 

Compare  the  notes  to  p.  107,  1.  34,  and  pp.  114,  115. —  C.  C.  edit. 


128  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Feb.  1687 


Account 
given  by  a 
Native. 


The  17th,  we  passed  a  small  River,  with  some  Difficulty, 
and  incamp'd  beyond  it.  The  i8th,  one  of  our  Horses 
going  along  the  Edge  of  an  upright  Bank,  fell  into  the 
Water,  and  came  off  with  only  a  Hurt  on  the  Shoulder; 
but  we  were  fain  to  unload  him,  and  distribute  his  Burden 
among  us,  every  one  making  a  Tack ;  and  thus  we  crossed 
a  curious  Plain,^  diversify'd  with  Woods,  Hills,  Rivulets, 
and  delightful  Meadows. 

The  19th,  we  travell'd  along  the  Tops  of  those  Hills,  to 
avoid  the  Bottoms,  and  found  a  Difficulty  to  get  down, 
by  reason  of  the  Rocks  we  met  with  at  the  End  of  them, 
and  a  River  we  were  to  cross.  Whilst  we  were  passing 
that  River,  we  heard  Dogs  hunting  the  Bullocks,  two  of 
which  coming  near  us,  one  of  them  was  shot  dead.  The 
Natives  who  were  hunting  spying  us,  sent  out  two  of  their 
Number,  who  creeping  from  Tree  to  Tree,  drew  near,  and 
then  stood  still,  without  daring  to  proceed  any  farther. 
We  made  Signs  to  them  to  come,  which  they  did,  and  we 
made  them  smoke,  till  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  return'd,  being 
gone  a  little  Way  to  observe  the  Body  of  those  People. 

When  come,  he  told  them,  he  would  entertain  Peace  with 
them,  that  we  were  going  to  the  Cents,  and  he  believed,  that 
these  very  Men  were  of  their  Nation,  because  they  had  their 
Accent  and  some  of  their  Words.  They  told  him  their 
Village  was  near  that  Place,  and  bore  us  Company  to  our 
Camp,  where  after  some  small  Presents  given  them,  they 
were  dismissed. 

The  20th,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  sent  Monsieur  Moranget 
and  some  others  to  the  Village  of  those  Natives,  to  try 
whether  they  could  barter  with  them  for  some  Horses.  In 
the  mean  Time  two  Savages  came  to  us,  one  of  them  being 
the  same  that  was  with  us  the  Night  before,  and  they  ex- 
pressed much  Friendship  for  us.  That  particular  Indian 
told  us,  his  name  was  Palaquechaune,  that  they  were  Allies 
to  the  Cenis,  that  their  Chief  had  been  among  the  Choumans, 


'^ Fr.  "belle  campagne." 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  129 

with  the  Spaniards;  that  the  Choumans  were  Friends  to  the  Feb.  1687 
Spaniards,  from  whom  they  got  Horses,  and  added  some 
farther  Particulars,  which  the  others  had  before  signify'd 
to  us;  so  that  we  had  good  Reason  to  judge  we  were  not 
far  from  North  Mexico. 

He  also  told  us,  that  the  Choumans  had  given  their  Chief 
some  Presents,  to  perswade  him  to  conduct  us  to  them; 
that  most  of  the  said  Nation  had  flat  Heads ;  that  they  had 
Indian  Corn,  which  gave  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  Ground  to 
believe,  that  those  People  were  some  of  the  same  he  had 
seen  upon  his  first  Discovery.  That  same  Native  had  a 
very  fine  Goat's  Skin,  which  I  purchased  of  him  for  four 
Needles,  after  I  had  shewn  him  how  to  use  them,  and  that 
Skin  was  of  good  Use  to  make  us  Shoes  instead  of  raw 
Bullocks  Hides. 

Some  Time  after.  Monsieur  Moranget  returned,  gave  m.  Mo- 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  an  Account  of  his  short  Journey,  and  rjngtt's 
said.  That  one  of  the  Natives,  who  saw  us  the  Night  before, 
came  to  meet  and  conduct  him  to  the  Chiefs  Cottage,  where 
forty  Ancient^  Indians  were,  by  whom  he  had  been  kindly 
received.  That  the  Chief  had  in  his  Hand  a  Reed,  at  the 
end  whereof  was  made  fast  a  Leaf  of  a  French  Book,  which 
he  had  an  extraordinary  Respect  for.  That  they  had  been 
made  to  sit  on  Bullocks  Hides,  and  treated  with  dry'd  Beef. 

That  after  these  first  Ceremonies,  the  Chief  had  given 
them  to  understand,  that  some  of  their  People  had  been 
conducted  by  a  Man  like  us,  to  our  Habitation,  and  that 
the  said  Man  had  promised  to  bring  them  to  talk  with  us, 
in  order  to  treat  of  Peace;  but  that  on  the  Contrary,  we  \ 

had  fired  on  them  and  kill'd  one  of  their  Men,  which  had 
oblig'd  them  to  kill  the  Man  that  led  them,  and  that  then 
they  returned.  It  is  not  improper  here  to  put  the  Reader 
in  Mind,  that  I  have  before  mention'd  this  Accident,  when 
the  Sieur  Barbier  crossing  the  River  in  a  Canoe,  was  caird 
upon  by  some  Person,  who  was  among  the  Natives  on  the 

*  Fr.  "  quarante  anciens  Sauvages  " —  forty  old  Indians.  [Later,  the 
translater  uses  the  proper  word  "Elders."]     C  C.  edit. 

9 


130  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Feb,  1687 


Three  lost 
French 
Men  heard 
of. 


Bank  of  the  River,  who  had  made  two  Shots,  as  it  had 
been  only  the  Priming  of  a  Piece,  which  the  Sieur  Barbier 
had  look'd  upon  as  an  Insult,  and  therefore  he  had  also  fir'd, 
with  all  the  other  Particulars,  as  mentioned  before ;  an  Acci- 
dent that  happened  for  want  of  understanding  one  another ; 
which,  together  with  Monsr.  de  la  Sale's  forbidding  us  to 
have  any  Communication  with  the  Natives,  was  very  pre- 
judicial to  us  afterwards. 

After  much  other  Discourse,  Monsieur  Moranget  having 
given  them  some  small  Presents,  they  made  their  return  in 
Bullocks  Hides,  and  Goat  Skins  well  dress' d.  He  ask'd 
them  for  some  Horses  to  barter;  they  answer'd,  they  had 
no  more  than  what  they  stood  in  Need  of.  We  immedi- 
ately proceeded  on  our  Journey,  and  that  day  being  the  21st, 
went  to  incamp  at  the  Edge  of  a  Wood. 

The  22d,  we  went  up  to  an  Eminence  terminated  by  a 
Rock,  at  the  Foot  whereof  ran  a  little  River,  the  bottom 
whereof  was  all  of  flat  Rocks,  fit  for  Building.^  Thence 
we  descry'd  two  Natives  driving  of  Bullocks,  which  made 
us  stand  upon  our  Guard,  and  it  appear' d  to  be  our  Indian, 
who  had  met  another,  with  whom  he  had  been  acquainted 
among  the  Cenis^  and  whom  he  had  brought  along  with 
him. 

Monsieur  de  la  Sale  was  very  glad  to  see  him,  and  re- 
member'd  he  was  one  of  those  of  whom  he  had  purchas'd 
a  Horse.  He  ask'd  several  Questions  of  him,  and  among 
the  rest,  whether  he  had  not  seen  the  four  Men  who  de- 
serted in  his  former  Journey,  or  heard  any  Talk  of  the 
others,  to  whom  he  had  given  Leave  to  return  to  our  Dwell- 
ing. He  answer'd,  he  had  seen  one  among  the  Cenis,  and 
two  others  among  the  Assonis ;  but  that  he  had  not  heard  of 
any  more,  and  that  they  must  needs  be  dead;  as  also  the 
Sieur  Bihorel,  who  was  likewise  mention' d  to  him. 

He  further  told  us,  that  there  were  four  or  five  Cottages 
thereabouts,  in  which  about  Fifteen  Men  resided.    At  Night 


iThe   Eng.  translator  here   omits   the   words   in   the  Fr.   original 
"  &  to  make  lime  "  ("  &  d  fair  de  la  chaux  "). 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  131 

he  went  away.  Our  Indian  had  kill'd  a  Cow  at  a  great  Feh.  1687 
Distance  and  shot  her  quite  through,  at  which  the  other, 
who  had  been  an  Eye  Witness  to  it,  stood  a  long  Time 
amaz'd,  without  speaking  one  Word,  admiring  the  Effect 
of  our  Pieces.  That  Cow  was  sent  for,  and  the  Flesh 
brought  to  our  Camp. 

The  23d,  we  pass'd  by  the  Cottages  we  had  been  told 
of,  where  the  Natives  were  with  their  Wives  and  Children. 
Monsr.  de  la  Sale  caus'd  us  to  halt  in  the  Village.  We  were 
well  received,  they  presented  us  with  dry'd  Beef,  and  we 
return'd  it  in  some  Knives.  We  saw  two  Horses,  one  of 
them  a  little  grey,  indifferent  handsome.  They  told  us  they 
would  soon  depart  that  Place,  to  go  join  their  Companions, 
who  were  in  War  with  their  Enemies.  The  rest  of  our 
Men  being  come  up,  we  went  on  to  incamp  a  League  from 
thence,  on  the  Bank  of  a  Rivulet,  and  at  the  Foot  of  one 
of  the  highest  Mountains  in  the  Country. 

Unloading  our  Horses,  we  perceived  there  wanted  a  large 
Axe,  which  serv'd  us  for  hewing  down  of  Trees.  Mon- 
sieur de  la  Sale  sent  his  Indian  to  demand  it,  at  the  Village 
we  came  from  last,  the  Savages  said  they  had  not  seen  it, 
and  it  was  lost.  He  brought  back  Word,  that  the  Savages 
had  told  him,  that  if  we  would  stay  for  them,  they  would 
go  along  with,  and  shew  us  the  Way. 

However,  we  went  on  the  24th,  and  incamp'd  on  the 
Edge  of  a  Marsh.  The  25th,  the  Rain  hindered  us  from 
Marching.  The  26th,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  perceiving  how 
difficult  and  dangerous  it  was  to  cross  that  Marsh,  sent  his 
Indian  to  the  others,  to  know  whether  they  really  designed 
to  go  with  us.  They  answered,  we  must  return  thither  to 
join  them.  The  27th.  we  decampM,  in  order  to  it ;  but  took 
another  Way  to  go  meet  the  Indians.  The  28th.  we  saw 
them  marching  at  a  Distance.  One  of  them  was  detached 
to  come  tell  us,  that  he  would  shew  us  the  Way  to  cross 
the  Marsh,  and  we  went  on  and  incamp'd  at  the  Foot  of 
the  high  Mountain  I  have  spoken  of. 

The  first  of  March,  we  joined  the  Indians,  on  the  Edge  of 


132 


Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Mar.  1687 


River  of 
Canoes. 


Provisions 
hid,  spoilt. 


the  Marsh,  which  we  had  just  cross'd,  where  the  Rains 
kept  us  till  the  Fifth,  during  which  Time  we  went  to  find 
out  where  we  might  pass  a  rapid  Torrent,  that  discharges 
it  self  into  the  River  call'd  of  Canoes,  which  we  pass'd  the 
6th,  in  the  Canoe  we  had  made,  and  which  did  us  good 
Service,  to  pass  other  Rivers  we  met  with  the  7th  and  the 
8th  on  our  Way. 

The  9th,  we  did  not  stir,  because  of  the  Rain.  The  loth, 
incamp'd  on  the  Bank  of  a  small  River,  which  we  cross'd 
the  nth,  and  the  same  Day  another  River,  and  incamp'd 
on  the  Bank  of  it,  and  found  it  adorn'd  with  very  fine  Mul- 
berry Trees.  The  12th  we  cross'd  another  River,  and  in- 
camp'd  near  it.  The  13th,  came  again  to  the  River  of 
Canoes,  so  called  by  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  because  he 
the  first  Time  put  Canoes  into  it,  at  his  former  Journey. 
We  pass'd  it  the  14th,  and  incamp'd  on  the  other  Side 
where  we  again  join'd  the  Indians. 

The  15th,  we  held  on  our  Journey  with  them,  and  found 
a  pleasanter  Country  than  that  we  had  pass'd  thro';  and 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  having  in  his  former  Journey  hid  some 
Indian  Wheat  and  Beans,  two  or  three  Leagues  from  that 
Place,  and  our  Provisions  beginning  to  fall  short,  it  was 
thought  fit  to  go  to  that  Place.  Accordingly  he  order' d  the 
Sieurs  Duhauf,  Hiens,  Liotot  the  Surgeon,  his  own  Indian, 
and  his  Footman,  whose  Name  was  Saget,  who  were  fol- 
lowed by  some  Natives,  to  go  to  the  Place  he  described 
to  them,  where  they  found  all  rotten  and  quite  spoilt. 

The  16,  in  their  Return,  they  met  with  two  Bullocks, 
which  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Indian  kilFd,  whereupon  they 
sent  back  his  Footman,  to  give  him  Notice  of  what  they 
had  kill'd,  that  if  he  would  have  the  Flesh  dry'd,  he  might 
send  Horses  for  it.  The  17th,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had 
the  Horses  taken  up,  and  order'd  the  Sieurs  Moranget  and 
de  Malre  and  his  Footman,  to  go  for  that  Meat,  and  send 
back  a  Horse  Load  immediately,  till  the  rest  was  dry'd. 

Monsieur  Moranget,  when  he  came  thither,  found  they 
had   smoak'd   both   the  Beeves,   tho'   they  were  not   dry 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  133 

enough ;  and  the  said  Sieurs  Liotot,  Hiens,  Duhaut  and  the  Mar.  1687 
rest  had  laid  aside  the  Marrow-Bones  and  others  to  roast 
them,  and  eat  the  flesh  that  remained  on  them,  as  was  usual 
to  do.     The  Sieur  Moranget  found  fault  with  it,  he  in  a  Discontent 
Passion  seized  not  only  the  Flesh  that  was  smoak'd  and  ly^M^ol^f. 
dry'd,  but  also  the  Bones,  without  giving  them  any  Thing ;  Moranget. 
but  on  the  contrary,  threatning  they  should  not  eat  so  much 
of  it,  as  they  had  imagined,  and  that  he  would  manage  that 
Flesh  after  another  Manner. 

This  passionate  Behaviour,  so  much  out  of  Season,  and  Conspiracy 
contrary  to  Reason  and  Custom,  touch'd  the  Surgeon  Liotot,  Monsr  dt 
Heins  and  Duhaut  to  the  Quick,  they  having  other  Causes  la  Sale. 
of  Complaint  against  Moranget.     They  withdrew,  and  re- 
solv'd  together  upon  a  bloody  Revenge;  they  agreed  upon 
the  Manner  of  it,  and  concluded  they  would  murder  the 
Sieur  Moranget,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Footman  and  his 
Indian,  because  he  was  very  faithful  to  him. 

They  waited  till  Night,  when  those  unfortunate  Creatures 
had  supp'd  and  were  asleep.  Liotot  the  Surgeon  was  the  in- 
human Executioner,  he  took  an  Ax,  began  by  the  Sieur 
Moranget,  giving  him  many  Strokes  on  the  Head ;  the  ^^^^^ 
same  he  did  by  the  Footman  and  the  Indian,  killing  them 
on  the  Spot,  whilst  his  Fellow  Villains,  vi^.  Duhaut,  Hiens, 
Teissier  and  Larcheveque  stood  upon  their  Guard,  with  their 
Arms,  to  fire  upon  such  as  should  make  any  Resistance. 
The  Indian  and  the  Footman  never  stir'd,  but  the  Sieur 
Moranget  had  so  much  Vigour  as  to  sit  up,  but  without 
being  able  to  speak  one  Word,  and  the  Assasins  obliged 
the  Sieur  de  Marie  to  make  an  End  of  him,  tho'  he  was 
not  in  the  Conspiracy. 

This  Slaughter  had  yet  satisfy'd  but  one  Part  of  the 
Revenge  of  those  Murderers.    To  finish  it  and  secure  them- 
selves it  was  requisite  to  destroy  the  Commander  in  Chief. 
They  consulted  about  the  safest  Method  to  effect  it,  and  Consult 
resolve  to  go  together  to  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  to  knock  %^^r.  de 
out  the  Brains  of  the  most  resolute  immediately,  and  then  la  Sale, 
it  would  be  easier  to  overcome  the  rest.     But  the  River, 


134         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Mar.  1687  which  was  between  them  and  us,  being  much  swollen,  the 
Difficulty  of  passing  it  made  them  put  it  off  the  i8th  and 
19th.  On  the  other  Hand  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  was  very 
uneasy,  on  Account  of  their  long  Stay.  His  Impatience  made 
him  resolve  to  go  himself  to  find  out  his  People  and  to 
know  the  Cause  of  it. 

This  was  not  done  without  many  previous  Tokens  of 
Concern,  and  Apprehension.  He  seem'd  to  have  some 
Presage  of  his  Misfortune,  enquiring  of  some,  whether  the 
Sieur  Liotot,  Hiens  and  Duhaut  had  not  expressed  some 
Discontent;  and  not  hearing  any  Thing  of  it,  he  could  not 

He  goes  to  f<>i't>e3.r  setting  out  the  20th,  with  Father  Anastasius  and  an 

seek  them.  Indian,  leaving  me  the  Command  in  his  Absence,  and  charg- 
ing me  from  Time  to  Time  to  gO'  the  Rounds  about  our 
Camp,  to  prevent  being  surpriz'd,  and  to  make  a  Smoke 
for  him  to  direct  his  Way  in  Case  of  Need.  When  he  came 
near  the  Dwelling  of  the  Murderers,  looking  out  sharp  to 
discover  something,  he  observed  Eagles  fluttering  about  a 
Spot,  not  far  from  them,  which  made  him  believe  they  had 
found  some  Carrion  about  the  Mansion,  and  he  fired  a 
Shot,  which  was  the  signal  of  his  Death  and  forwarded  it. 
The  Conspirators  hearing  the  Shot,  concluded  it  was 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  who  was  come  to  seek  them.  They 
made  ready  their  Arms  and  provided  to  surprize  him. 
Duhaut  passed  the  River,  with  Larcheveque.  The  first  of 
them  spying  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  at  a  Distance,  as  he  was 
coming  towards  them,  advanced  and  hid  himself  among  the 
high  Weeds,  to  wait  his  passing  by,  so  that  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale  suspecting  nothing,  and  having  not  so  much  as  charg'd 
his  Piece  again,  saw  the  aforesaid  Larcheveque  at  a  good 
Distance  from  him,  and  immediately  ask'd  for  his  Nephew 
Moranget,  to  which  Larcheveque  answered.  That  he  was 

Is  mur-  along  the  River.  At  the  same  Time  the  Traitor  Duhaut 
fired  his  Piece  and  shot  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  thro'  the  Head, 
so  that  he  dropp'd  down  dead  on  the  Spot,  without  speaking 
one  Word.^ 

1  This  occurred,  according  to  Douay's  account,  on  the  19th  March, 
1689. 


der'd. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  135 

Father  Anastasius,  who  was  then  by  his  Side,  stood  stock  Mar.  1687 
still  in  a  Fright,  expecting  the  same  Fate,  and  not  know- 
ing  whether  he  should  go  forwards  or  backwards ;  but  the 
Murderer  Duhant  put  him  out  of  that  Dread,  bidding  him 
not  to  fear,  for  no  Hurt  was  intended  him;  that  it  was 
Despair  that  had  prevailed  with  him  to  do  what  he  saw ;  that 
he  had  long  desirM  to  be  revenged  on  Moranget,  because 
he  had  designed  to  ruin  him,  and  that  he  was  partly  the 
Occasion  of  his  Uncle's  Death.  This  is  the  exact  Relation 
of  that  Murder,  as  it  was  presently  after  told  me  by  F. 
Anastasms. 

Such  was  the  unfortunate  End  of  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's 
Life,  at  a  Time  when  he  might  entertain  the  greatest  Hopes, 
as  the  Reward  of  his  Labours.^  He  had  a  Capacity  and  His  Char- 
Talent  to  make  his  Enterprize  successful ;  his  Constancy  °^^^^' 
and  Courage  and  his  extraordinary  Knowledge  in  Arts  and 
Sciences,  which  rendered  him  fit  for  any  Thing,  together 
with  an  indefatigable  Body,  which  made  him  surmount  all 
Difficulties,  would  have  procured  a  glorious  Issue  to  his 
Undertaking,  had  not  all  those  excellent  Qualities  been 
counterbalanced  by  too  haughty  a  Behaviour,  which  some- 
times made  him  insupportable,  and  by  a  Rigidness  towards 
those  that  were  under  his  Command,  which  at  last  drew  on 
him  an  implacable  Hatred,  and  was  the  Occasion  of  his 
Death. 

The  Shot  which  had  kilFd  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  was  also 
a  Signal  of  the  Murder  to  the  Assassins  for  them  to  draw 
near.  They  all  repaired  to  the  Place  where  the  wretched 
dead  Corps  lay,  which  they  barbarously  strip' d  to  the  Shirt, 
and  vented  their  Malice  in  vile  and  opprobrious  Language.  Barbarity 
The  Surgeon  Liotot  said  several  Times  in  Scorn  and  De-  *?^^^^i  j^^ 
rision.  There  thou  liest,  Great  Bassa,  there  thou  liest.  In 
Conclusion,  they  dragged  it  naked  among  the  Bushes,  and 
left  it  exposed  to  the  ravenous  Wild  Beasts.    So  far  was  it 

1  Fr.  "  dans  le  temps  qu*il  y  avait  tout  a  esperer  des  ses  grands 
travaux" — at  a  time  when  there  was  the  greatest  hopes  of  the  suc- 
cess of  his  enterprise.    C.  C.  edit. 


136         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Mar.  1687     from  what  a  certain  Author  writes,  of  their  having  bury'd 

him  and  set  up  a  cross  on  his  Grave.  ^ 
Murderers  When  those  Murderers  had  satiated  their  Rage,  they  set 
^th^^C  *°b  ^^^  ^^  come  to  us  at  our  Camp,  with  the  dry'd  Flesh,  which 
they  had  caus'd  to  be  brought  over  the  River  by  the  Indians, 
who  had  been  Spectators  of  the  Murder  and  of  all  the  in- 
human Actions  that  had  been  committed,  with  Amazement 
and  Contempt  of  us.  When  they  were  come  to  the  Camp, 
they  found  Messieurs  Cavelier,  the  one  Brother,  the  other 
Nephew  tc  the  murdered  Commander,  whom  Father  Anas- 
tasius  acquainted  with  the  dismal  End  of  our  Chief,  and 
enjoyn'd  them  Silence,  which  it  is  easy  to  imagine  was  very 
hard  upon  them;  but  it  was  absolutely  necessary. 

However,  Monsieur  Cavelier  the  Priest,  could  not  for- 
bear telling  them,  that  if  they  would  do  the  same  by  him, 
he  would  forgive  them  his  Murder,  and  only  desir'd  them 
to  give  him  a  Quarter  of  an  Hour  to  prepare  himself: 
They  answer'd.  They  had  Nothing  to  say  to  him ;  that  what 
they  had  done  was  the  Effect  of  Despair,  to  be  reveng'd 
for  the  ill  Usage  they  had  received. 

I  was  absent  at  that  Time;  he  they  call'd  Larcheveque, 
who,  as  I  have  said,  was  one  of  the  Conspirators,  had  some 
Kindness  for  me,  and  knowing  they  designed  to  make  me 
away  too,  if  I  stood  upon  my  Defence,  he  parted  from  them, 
to  give  me  Notice  of  their  Mischievous  Resolution.  He 
found  me  on  a  little  rising  ^Ground,  where  I  was  looking 
upon  our  Horses  as  they  graz'd  in  a  little  adjacent  Bottom. 
His  Intelligence  struck  me  to  the  Heart,  not  knowing 
whether  I  should  fly  or  stay;  but  at  length,  having  neither 
The^  Author  Powder  nor  Shot,  nor  Arms,  and  the  said  Larcheveque 
^Friend^  ^     giving  me  Assurances  of  my  Life,  provided  I  was  quiet  and 

1  The  author  referred  to  here,  is  Father  Douay, .  whose  statement 
to  this  effect  may  be  doubted,  as  Parkman  observes  that  he  did  not 
"  always  write  honestly,"  and  that  he  probably  invented  the  story  of 
the  burial,  to  cover  his  own  dereliction  in  having  failed  (through 
terror)  to  discharge  this  duty.  See  Parkman's  La  Salle  and  the  Dis- 
covery of  the  Great  West,  ii,  176,  178,  note,  Champlain  edition.  This 
assassination  occurred  in  a  southern  branch  of  the  Trinity  River. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  137 

said  Nothing,  I  committed  my  self  to  God's  Protection,  and  Mar.  1687 
went  to  them,  without  taking  any  Notice  of  what  had  been  ' 

done. 

Duhauf,  puff'd  up  with  his  new  gotten  Authority,  pro-  Duhaut,  the 
cur'd  him  by  his  Villany,  as  soon  as  he  saw  me,  cry'd  out,  Murderer, 
Every  Man  ought  to  command  in  his  Turn ;  to  which  I  Comtnand. 
made  no  Answer;  and  we  were  all  of  us  oblig'd  to  stifle 
our  Resentment,  that  it  might  not  appear,  for  our  Lives 
depended  on  it.    However,  it  was  easy  to  judge  with  what 
Eyes  Father  Anastasius^  Messieurs  Cavelier  and  I  beheld 
these  Murderers,  to  whom  we  expected  every  Moment  to  fall 
Sacrifices.    It  is  true,  we  dissembled  so  well,  that  they  were 
not  very  suspicious  of  us,  and  that  the  Temptation  we  were 
under  of  making  them  away  in  Revenge  for  those  they 
had  murder'd,  would  have  easily  prevail'd  and  been  put  in 
Execution,  had  not  Monsieur  Cavelier,  the  Priest,  always 
positively   oppos'd   it,   alledging,   that  we  ought  to  leave 
Vengeance  to  God. 

However  the  Murderers  seiz'd  upon  all  the  Effects,  with- 
out  any  Opposition,  and  then  we  began  to  talk  of  proceeding  continued. 
on  our  Journey.    We  decamped  the  21st,  with  our  Indians, 
and  march'd  with  such  a  heavy  Rain,  that  we  were  oblig'd 
to  halt  on  the  Bank  of  a  great  Stream,  where  one  of  the 
Natives  that  had  left  us,  arriv'd  with  his  Wife.    We  went 
on  the  22d  and  23d,  and  passed  the  River,  where  Father 
Anastasius,  Monsieur  Cavelier  and  I,  who  could  not  swim, 
had  been  drown'd,  but  that  the  Natives  assisted  and  sav'd 
us.     The  24th,  we  went  on  thro'  a  marshy  Country,  never 
quitting  a  small  Path  which  led  to  the  Village  of  the  Cenis, 
till  the  28th,  when  we  rested  on  the  Bank  of  a  River  of  the  Cenis 
same   Name,    tho'   about   ten   Leagues   distant   from   the  ^»^^''- 
Village. 

We  had  hop'd  to  ford  that  River,  as  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
had  done,  when  he  return'd  from  that  Country;  but  it  was 
so  swollen,  that  there  was  no  doing  it,  and  we  were  forced 
to  make  a  Canoe  of  Bullocks  Hides.     Whilst  we  were 


138         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Mar.  1687     employ' d  at  that  Work,  the  Indians  swam  over  and  went  to 
give  Notice  to  the  Cenis  of  our  Arrival. 

We  found  the  Country  pleasant  enough  about  that  River, 
tho'  the  Land  did  not  seem  to  be  any  of  the  best ;  but  still 
it  was  delightful  to  the  Eye,  well  planted  with  fine  Trees  of 
several  Sorts,  among  which,  is  one  that  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
Copal  had  nam'd  Copal,  being  very  beautiful,  the  Leaves  of  it 

'^^^^'  between  those  of  the  Maple  and  the  lime^  Trees  in  Re- 

semblance, and  from  it  comes  a  Gum,  of  a  very  agreeable 
Scent.  In  the  same  Place  we  saw  a  great  Tree,  on  which 
the  late  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  caus'd  Crosses  and  the 
Arms  of  France  to  be  carv'd. 

The  Hunting  of  Bullocks  had  fail'd  us,  and  we  had  seen 
none  from  the  Place  where  our  late  Leader  had  been  mur- 
der'd.    Thus  our  Provisions  began  to  fall  short,  and  it  was 
resolv'd  on  the  29th,  to  send  some  Men  before,  to  the  Vil- 
lage of  the  Cenis,  to  know,  whether  they  had  any  Indian 
The  Author  Corn,  and  were  willing  to  barter  for  it.     I  was  appointed, 
Cenis^ for^    with  the  Surgeon  Liotot,  the  Teisieers,  and  Heins,  who  was 
Provisions,    a  Buccanier,  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  taken  up  at  Petit 
Gouave,  to  go  with  him  upon  this  Expedition.    I  was  very 
unwilling  to  undertake  that  Journey,  with  a  Murderer  and 
two  of  his  Companions,  of  whom  I  was  suspicious;  but  it 
was  very  requisite  to  obey,   and  Duhaut  having  all  the 
Effects  in  his  Possession,  alledging,  that  a  great  part  of  them 
belong' d  to  him,  he  gave  us  some  Axes  and  Knives  to 
barter  for  Indian  Corn,  as  also  for  Horses,  if  any  were  to 
be  had,  and  accordingly  we  pass'd  the  River. 
The  Coun-        We  found  the  Country  made  up  of  several  little  Hills,  of 
^^^  'h'^H  an  indifferent  Height,  on  which  there  are  Abundance  of 

Wallnut-Trees  and  Oaks,  not  so  large  as  what  we  had  seen 
before,  but  very  agreeable.  The  Weeds  which  had  been 
some  Time  before  burnt  by  the  Natives,  began  to  spring 
up  again,  and  discover' d  large  green  Fields  very  pleasing  to 
the  Sight. 

iFr.  "Tilleul." 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  139 

When  we  had  travell'd  some  Time,  we  discoverd  three  Afar.  1687 
Men  a  Horseback,  coming  towards  us  from  the  Village,  and 
being  come  near  them,  saw  one  dress'd  after  the  Spanish  ^  Man 
Fashion,  with  a  little  Doublet,  the  Body  whereof  was  of  Spaniard  * 
blue,   and  the  Sleeves  of  white  Fustian,  as  it  were  im-*^ 
broider'd,  with  very  streight  Breeches,  white  worsted  Stock- 
ings, Woollen-Garters,  a  broad-brim'd,  flat-crown'd  Hat, 
and  long  Hair.    We  presently  concluded  he  was  a  Spaniard, 
and  the  rather  because  we  had  been  told,  that  some  of  them 
were  to  come  to  join  in  League  with  the  Cenis,  against  an 
Enemy  nation,  and  we  were  at  a  Nonplus ;  for  if  we  fell  into 
their  Hands,  we  must  never  expect  to  get  away,  but  be  con- 
demned to  serve  either  in  the  Mines,  or  in  the  Quarries,  in 
the  Kingdom  of  Mexico,  for  which  Reason  we  provided  to 
give  the  pretended  Spaniard  an  unkind  Reception,  and  then 
to  make  the  best  of  our  Way  back. 

Being  come  up  to  him,  I  spoke  some  Words  of  Spanish 
and  Italian,  to  which  he  return'd  no  Answer;  but  on  the 
contrary,  made  use  of  the  Word  Coussica,  which  in  the 
Language  of  the  Cenis,  signifies,  /  do  not  understand  you; 
which  Answer  of  his  remov'd  our  Apprehensions.  The 
two  others  were  quite  naked,  one  of  them  being  mounted  on 
a  fine  grey  Mare,  and  on  her  were  besides  two  Panniers, 
handsomely  made  of  Reeds,  full  of  very  fine  Meal  parch'd, 
or  roasted.  After  several  Questions,  to  which  we  had  no 
very  satisfactory  Answers,  we  lighted  Fire  to  make  them 
smoke,  and  then  they  presented  us  with  the  two  Panniers 
full  of  Meal,  giving  us  to  understand,  that  their  Chief  ex- 
pected us  in  the  Village,  and  having  signify'd,  that  they 
were  sent  to  meet  us,  we  gave  them  some  Knives  and 
Strings  of  Beads. 

We  ask'd  them,  whether  they  had  any  Men  among  them 
like  him  that  was  a  Horseback  in  the  Spanish  Habit,  they 
answer^,  there  were  two  in  a  Neighboring  Nation,  call'd 
Assony,  and  that  he  who  was  clad,  had  been  in  their  Coun- 
try, and  brought  thence  the  Cloaths  we  saw  him  wear. 
That  Man  then  shew'd  us  a  Spanish  printed  Paper,  con- 


I40         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Mar,  1687 


The  Cenis 
meet  the 
French  in 
solemn 
Manner, 


taining  the  Indulgences  granted  to  the  Missioners  of  New 
Mexico.  After  this  they  left  us  to  go  on,  to  our  People, 
for  which  Reason  I  writ  a  Note,  giving  an  Account  of  our 
having  met  them. 

We  alighted  to  eat,  and  let  our  Horses  graze  on  the 
Bank  of  a  Rivulet;  but  it  was  not  long  before  the  same 
Natives,  who  had  been  with  us  before,  appeared  again  hard 
by  us.  We  made  Signs  to  them  to  draw  near  and  eat  with 
us;  which  they  did,  and  then  went  along  with  us  towards 
the  Village,  which  we  would  not  go  into,  because  it  was 
Night.  The  Indian  that  was  clad,  stay'd  all  Night  with  us, 
and  the  two  others  went  away. 

When  it  was  Day,  we  held  on  our  Way  to  the  Village; 
the  Indian  that  was  with  us  conducting  us  to  their  Chief's 
Cottage.  By  the  Way,  we  saw  many  other  Cottages,  and 
the  Elders  coming  to  meet  us  in  their  Formalities,^  which 
consisted  in  some  Goats  Skins  dress'd  and  painted  of  sev- 
eral Colours,  which  they  wore  on  their  Shoulders  like  Belts, 
and  Plumes  of  Feathers  of  several  Colours,  on  their  Heads, 
like  Coronets.  Six  or  seven  of  them  had  square  Sword 
Blades,  like  the  Spanish^  on  the  Hilts  whereof  they  had 
fastened  great  Plumes  of  Feathers,  and  several  Hawks 
Bells;  some  of  them  had  Clubs,  which  they  call  Head- 
breakers,  some  only  their  Bows  and  Arrows;^  others.  Bits 
of  White  Linen,  reaching  from  Shoulder  to  Shoulder.  All 
their  Faces  were  daub'd  with  black  or  red.  There  were 
twelve  Elders,  who  walk'd  in  the  Middle,  and  the  Youth 
and  Warriors  in  Ranks,  on  the  Sides  of  those  old  Men. 

Being  come  up  to  us  in  that  Manner,  he  that  conducted 
us,  made  a  Sign  for  us  to  halt,  which  when  we  had  done, 
all  the  old  Men  lifted  up  their  Right  Hands  above  their 
Heads,  crying  out  in  a  most  ridiculous  Manner;  but  it 
behov'd  us  to  have  a  Care  of  laughing.     That  done,  they 


1  Trappings.    The  Fr.  word  used  here  is  "  ajustemens." 

^Fr.  "d'autre  leurs  arcs  &  deux  fleches  seulement," — "others  their 

bows  &  two  arrows  only."     [d'autre   is  a  misprint  for  "  d'autres."] 

C.  C.  edit. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  141 

came  and  imbrac'd  us,  using  all  Sorts  of  Endearments.  Mar.  1687 
Then  they  made  us  smoke,  and  brought  to  us  a  French  ^  French 
Man  of  Provence,  who  was  one  of  those  that  had  forsaken  -^«»»  among 
the  late  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  at  his  first  Journey.^  ^    **  *^'*'^* 

The  whole  Company  conducted  us  after  the  same  Manner, 
to  their  Chief's  Cottage;  and  after  we  had  staid  there  a 
short  Time,  they  led  us  to  a  larger  Cottage,  a  Quarter  of 
a  League  from  thence,  being  the  Hut  in  which  they  have 
their  publick  Rejoycings,  and  the  great  Assemblies.  We  Indian  En- 
found  it  furnish'd  with  Mats  for  us  to  sit  on.  The  Elders  '^'•'«»»*'^^'»^- 
seated  themselves  round  about  us,  and  they  brought  us  to 
eat,  some  Sagamite,  which  is  their  Pottage,  little  Beans, 
Bread  made  of  Indian  Corn,  and  another  Sort  they  make 
with  boil'd  Flower,  and  at  last  they  made  us  smoke. 

During  our  Repast,  they  entertain' d  us  with  the  Dis- 
course of  their  Design  to  make  War  on  a  Nation,  who  were 
their  Enemies,  and  whom  they  call'd  Cannokantimo.  When 
it  was  over,  we  presented  them,  according  to  Custom,  with 
some  Knives  and  Strings  of  Beads  for  their  Wives.  We 
desir'd  them  to  afford  us  some  Indian  Corn,  in  Exchange 
for  other  Things,  which  they  promised,  and  the  French 
Man  who  was  with  them,  having  told  us,  that  there  was  a . 
District,  which  afforded  more  Corn,  than  that  where  we 
were,  and  where  his  Cottage  was,  we  resolv'd  to  go  thither. 
We  propos'd  it  to  the  Elders,  who  would  needs  go  along 
with  us,  attended  by  a  great  Number  of  Youth,  and  having 
got  ready  our  Horses,  we  set  out  for  that  Place. 

By  the  Way,  we  saw  several  Cottages  at  certain  Dis- 
tances, stragling  up  and  down,^  as  the  Ground  happens  to 
be  fit  for  Tillage.  The  Field  lies  about  the  Cottage,  and  at 
other  Distances,^  there  are  other  large  Huts,  not  inhabited, 

^  Fr.  "II  nous  fit  bien  des  caresses,  il  estoit  tout  nud,  comme  eux, 
&  ce  qui  est  surprenant,  il  avoit  presque  oublie  son  langage  naturel." 
—  "He  gave  us  many  caresses:  he  was,  like  them,  quite  naked;  and 
what  is  remarkable,  he  had  almost  forgotten  his  native  tongue."  m.  b.  a. 

^Fr.  "pav  halneaux" — probably  a  misprint  for  "hameaux"  —  ham- 
lets.    M.  B.  A. 

3  Fr.  "  d'espace  en  espace  "  —  at  intervals. 


142  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Huts  and 
Families 
in  them. 


Manner  of 
Building. 


Mar.  1687     but  only  serving  for  publick  Assemblies,  either  upon  Oc- 
casion  of  Rejoycings,  or  to  consult  about  Peace  and  War. 

The  Cottages  that  are  inhabited,  are  not  each  of  them 
for  a  private  Family,  for  in  some  of  them  there  are  fifteen  or 
twenty,  each  of  which  has  its  Nook  or  Corner,  Bed  and 
other  Utensils  to  its  self;  but  without  any  Partition  to 
separate  it  from  the  rest:  However,  they  have  Nothing 
in  Common  besides  the  Fire,  which  is  in  the  Midst  of  the 
Hut,  and  never  goes  out.  It  is  made  of  great  Trees,  the 
Ends  whereof  are  laid  together,  so  that  when  once  lighted, 
it  lasts  a  long  Time,  and  the  first  Comer  takes  Care  to  keep 
it  up. 

The  Cottages  are  round  at  the  Top,  after  the  Manner 
of  a  Bee-Hive,  or  a  Reek  of  Hay.  Some  of  them  are  sixty 
Foot  Diameter.  In  Order  to  build  them,  they  plant  Trees 
as  thick  as  a  Man's  Thigh,  tall  and  strait,  and  placing  them 
in  a  Circle,  and  joyning  the  Tops  together,  form  the  Dome, 
or  round  Top,  then  they  lath  and  cover  them  with  Weeds. 
When  they  remove  their  Dwellings,  they  generally  burn 
the  Cottages  they  leave,  and  build  new  on  the  Ground  they 
design  to  inhabit. 

Their  Movables  are  some  Bullocks  Hides  and  Goats  Skins 
well  cur'd,  some  Mats  close  wove,  wherewith  they  adorn 
their  Huts,  and  some  Earthen  Vessels,  which  they  are  very 
skilful  at  making,  and  wherein  they  boil  their  Flesh  or 
Roots,  or  Sagamite,  which,  as  has  been  said,  is  their  Pottage. 
They  have  also  some  small  Baskets  made  of  Canes,  serving 
to  put  in  their  Fruit  and  other  Provisions.  Their  Beds  are 
made  of  Canes,  rais'd  two  or  three  Foot  above  the  Ground, 
handsomely  fitted  with  Mats  and  Bullocks  Hides,  or  Goats 
Skins  well  cur'd,  which  serve  them  for  Feather  Beds,  or 
Quilts  and  Blankets  cured  with  the  hair  on,  to  serve  as 
mattresses  and  bedclothes;  and  those  Beds  are  parted  one 
from  another  by  Mats  hung  up. 

When  they  design  to  Till  the  Ground,  they  give  one 
another  Notice,  and  very  often  above  an  Hundred  of  each 
Sex  meet  together.     When  they  have  till'd  that  Piece  of 


Their 

moveables 


Beds. 


Tillage. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  143 

Land,  after  their  Manner,  and  spent  part  of  the  Day,  those 

the  Land  belongs  to,  give  the  others  to  Eat,  and  then  they  ^ 

spend  the  rest  of  the  Day  in  Dancing  and  Merry  Making. 

This  same  is  practised  from  Canton  to  Canton,  and  so  they 

till  Land  all  together. 

This  Tillage  consists  in  breaking  up  just  the  Surface  of  . 
the  Earth  with  a  Sort  of  Wooden  Instrument,  like  a  little  for  Tilling. 
Pick-axe,  which  they  make  by  splitting  the  End  of  a  thick 
Piece  of  Wood,   that  serves  for  a  Handle,   and  putting 
another  Piece  of  Wood  sharp  Pointed  at  one  End  into  the 
Slit.     This  Instrument  serves  them  instead  of  a  Hoe,  or 
Spade,  for  they  have  no  Iron  Tools.    When  the  Land  has  ly^^^^ 
been  thus  till'd  or  broke  up,  the  Women  Sow  and  Plant  the  sow. 
Indian  Corn,  Beans,  Pompions,  Water  Melons,  and  other 
Grain  and  Garden  Ware,  which  is  for  their  Sustenance. 

The  Indians  are  generally  Handsom,  but  disfigure  them-  ,  ,. 
selves  by  making  Scores,  or  Streaks  on  their  Faces,  from  disfigure 
the  Top  of  the  Forehead  down  the  Nose  to  the  Tip  of  the  ^h^^^^^ves. 
Chin ;  which  is  done  by  pricking  the  Skin  with  Needles,  or 
other  sharp  Instruments,  till  it  bleeds,  whereon  they  strew 
fine  Powder  of  Charcoal,  and  that  sinks  in  and  mixes  with 
the  Blood  within  the  Skin.    They  also  make  after  the  same 
Manner,  the  Figures  of  living  Creatures,  of  Leaves  and 
Flowers  on  their  Shoulders,  Thighs,  and  other  Parts  of  their 
Bodies,  and  Paint  themselves,  as  has  been  said  before,  with 
Black  or  Red,  and  sometimes  both  together. 

The  Women  are  generally  well  Shap'd,  and  would  not  ^^^^„ 
be  disagreeable,  did  they  adhere  to  Nature;  but  they  Dis- 
guise themselves  as  ridiculously  as  the  Men,  not  only  with 
the  Streak  they  have  like  them  down  their  Face,  but  by  other 
Figures  they  make  on  it,  at  the  Comers  of  their  Eyes,  and 
on  the  other  Parts  of  their  Bodies;  whereof  they  make 
more  particular  Show  on  their  Bosom,  and  those  who  have 
the  most,  are  reckoned  the  handsomest ;  tho'  that  pricking  in 
that  Part  be  extremely  painful  to  them. 

It  is  they  that  do  all  the  Work^  in  the  Cottage,  either  in 

1  Fr.  "  presque  tout  le  travail " —  almost  all  the  work. 


144  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Work  at 
Home. 


Their  Be 
haviour. 


Mar.  1687  Pounding  the  Indian  Corn  and  Baking  the  Meal,  or  making 
^T  '7~Iug  the  Pottage  of  the  said  Meal,  by  them  call'd  Sagamite,  or  in 
dressing  their  other  Provisions,  or  drying  or  parching,  or 
smoaking  their  Flesh,  fetching  the  Wood  they  have  Occa- 
sion for,  or  the  Flesh  of  Bullocks,  or  other  Beasts  kill'd  by 
their  Husbands  in  the  Woods,  which  are  often  at  a  great 
Distance,  and  afterwards  Dressing  them  as  has  been  said. 
They  Sow  and  Plant,  when  the  Land  has  been  broke  up, 
and  in  short,  do  almost  all  that  is  requisite  for  the  Support 
of  Life. 

I  did  not  observe  that  those  Women  were  naturally 
given  to  Lewdness;  but  their  Virtue  is  not  Proof  against 
some  of  our  Toys,  when  presented  them,  as  Needles, 
Knives,  and  more  particularly  Strings  of  Beads,  whereof 
they  make  Necklaces  and  Bracelets,  and  that  Temptation 
is  rarely  resisted  by  them,  and  the  less  because  they  have 
no  Religion  or  Law  to  prohibit  that  vile  Practice.  It  is 
true  their  Husbands,  when  they  take  them  in  the  Fact, 
sometimes  do  punish  them,  either  by  Separation  or  other- 
wise ;  but  that  is  rare. 

The  Country  of  those  Indians  being  generally  subject  to 
no  Cold,  almost  all  of  them  go  naked;  unless  when  the 
North  Wind  blows,  then  they  cover  themselves  with  a  Bul- 
lock's Hide,  or  Goat's  Skin  cur'd.  The  Women  wear  noth- 
ing but  a  Skin,  Mat,  or  Clout,  hanging  round  them  like 
a  Petticoat,  and  reaching  down  half  way  their  Legs,  which 
hides  their  Nakedness  before  and  behind.  On  their  Heads 
they  have  nothing  but  their  Hair  platted  and  knotted 
behind. 

As  for  their  Manners,  it  may  be  said  of  these  as  of  all 
other  Indians  of  that  great  Continent,  that  they  are  not 
Mischievous,  unless  wrong'd  or  attack'd;  in  which  Case 
they  are  all  Fierce  and  Revengeful.  They  Watch  all  Op- 
portunities to  be  Reveng'd,  and  never  let  any  slip,  when 
offer'd,  which  is  the  Cause  of  their  being  continually  at 
War  with  their  Neighbours,  and  of  that  Martial  Humour, 
so  Predominant  among  them. 


Habits. 


Manners. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  145 

As  to  the  Knowledge  of  a  God,  they  did  not  seem  to  us  Mar.  1687 
to  have  any  fix'd  Notion  of  Him ;  it  is  true,  we  met  with  ]^^^.  .^^ 
some  on  our  Way,  who  as  far  as  we  could  judge,  believ'd, 
there  was  some  Superior  Being,  which  was  above  all 
Things,  and  this  they  testify'd  by  lifting  up  their  Hands 
and  Eyes  to  Heaven,  yet  without  any  Manner  of  Concern, 
as  believing  that  the  said  exalted  Being  does  not  regard  at 
all,  what  is  done  here  below.  However  none  of  them  hav- 
ing any  Places  of  Worship,  Ceremonies,  or  Prayers,  to  de- 
note the  divine  Homage,  it  may  be  said  of  them  all,  that 
they  have  no  Religion,  at  least  those  that  we  saw. 

However,  they  observe  some  Ceremonies;  but  whether  Ceremo- 
they  have  any  Regard  to  a  real  or  pretended  Superior  *^*^^' 
Being,  or  whether  they  are  only  popular,  and  proceeding 
from  Custom,  is  what  we  were  not  able  to  discover.  Those 
Ceremonies  are  as  follows.  When  the  Com  is  ripe,  they 
gather  a  certain  Quantity  in  a  Maund  or  Basket,  which  is 
placed  on  a  Sort  of  Seat  or  Stool,  dedicated  to  that  Use, 
and  serving  only  upon  those  misterious  Occasions,  which 
they  have  a  great  Veneration  for. 

The  Basket  with  the  Corn  being  placed  on  that  honoured 
Stool,  one  of  the  Elders  holds  out  his  Hands  over  it,  and 
talks  a  long  Time;  after  which,  the  said  old  Man  dis- 
tributes the  Corn  among  the  Women,  and  no  Person  is  al- 
low'd  to  eat  of  the  new  Corn,  till  eight  Days  after  that 
Ceremony.  This  seems  to  be  in  the  Nature  of  Offering  up 
or  Blessing  the  first  Fruits  of  their  Harvest. 

At  their  Assemblies,  when  the  Sagamite,  or  Pottage, 
which  is  the  most  essential  Part  of  their  meal,  is  boil'd  in 
a  great  Pot,  they  place  that  Pot  on  the  Stool  of  Ceremony 
above  mentioned,  and  one  of  the  Elders  stretches  out  his 
Hands  over  it,  muttering  some  Words  between  his  Teeth 
for  a  considerable  Time,  after  which,  they  fall  to  eat. 

When  the  young  Folks  are  grown  up  to  be  fit  to  go  to 
the  Wars,  and  take  upon  them  to  be  Soldiers,  their  Gar- 
ment, consisting  of  some  Skin,  or  Clout,  together  with 
their  Bow,  Quiver  and  Arrows,  is  placed  on  the  aforesaid 
10 


146  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


Mar.  1687 


Tobacco. 


Nation, 
what  is 
meant   here 
hy  it. 


Names  of 
Nations. 


Stool,  an  old  Man  stretches  out  his  Hands  over  them,  mut- 
ters the  Words  as  above,  and  then  the  Garments,  Bows, 
Quivers,  and  Arrows  are  given  to  the  Persons  they  belong 
to.  This  may  be  compared  to  Something  of  a  Ceremony 
of  Knighting  among  them.  The  same  Ceremonies  are 
us'd  by  them  in  the  cultivating  of  their  Grain  and  Product, 
but  particularly  of  the  Tabacco,  whereof  they  have  a  Sort, 
which  has  smaller  Leaves  than  Ours;  it  is  almost  ever 
green  and  they  use  it  in  Leaves. 

This  is  what  we  observ'd  among  the  Cenis,  whose  Cus- 
toms and  Manners  differ  very  little  from  those  of  other 
Nations,  which  we  had  seen  before,  and  saw  afterwards. 
As  to  the  Point  of  Religion,  it  is  not  to  be  infer' d  from 
what  I  have  said  above,  that  there  is  none  throughout  that 
vast  Continent:  The  Account  I  have  given  only  regards 
those  Nations  we  saw ;  there  may  be  others  that  have  some 
Worship,  and  I  remember  I  have  heard  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale  say,  that  the  Nation  call'd  Takensa,  neighbouring  on 
the  Islinois,  ador'd  the  Fire,  and  that  they  had  Cottages 
which  they  made  use  of,  as  Temples. 

Before  I  conclude  this  short  Account  of  the  Religion, 
Customs  and  Manners  of  the  Cenis,  which  belong'd  prop- 
erly to  this  Place,  it  is  fit  here  also  to  observe,  that  the 
Word  Nation,  is  not  to  be  understood,  among  those 
Indians,  to  denote  a  People  possessing  a  whole  Province, 
or  vast  Extent  of  Land.  Those  Nations  are  no  other  than 
a  Parcel  of  Villages,  dispers'd  for  the  Space  of  fifteen, 
of  twenty  or  of  thirty  Leagues  at  most,  which  compose  a 
distinct  People  or  Nation;  and  they  differ  from  one  an- 
other rather  in  Language  than  in  Manners,  wherein  they 
are  all  much  alike,  or  at  least  they  vary  but  little,  as  has 
been  mention' d  above.  As  for  the  Names  of  them,  here 
follow  those  of  such  as  we  travel'd  through,  or  were  near 
the  Way  we  held  from  our  leaving  our  Habitation  near 
the  Bay  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  till  we  came  among  the  Cenis. 

The  Spicheats,  Kabayes,  Thecamons,  Thearemets,  Kich 
haha,  Chaumenes,  Konans,  Arhau,  Enepiahe,  Ahonerhopi- 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  147 

heim,   Koienkahe,   Konkone,    Omeaosse,   -Keremen,    Ahe-  Mar.  1687 
kouen,  Meghty,    Tetamenes,    Otemnarhen,   Kouayon   and 
MeracQunian.     All  these  Nations  are  on  the  North  of  the 
River  called  la  Meligne.     Those  that  follow,  are  on  the 
West  and  North- West  of  the  same  River. 

The  Kannehoium,  Tohaha,  Pihir,  Cagabegnx,  Onapien, 
Pickar,  Tokau,  Kuasses,  Chancres,  Teserabocretes,  Tsepe- 
houen.  Fere  out  eha,  Pane  go,  Petao,  Petzare,  Peisacho,  Pei- 
houn,  Orcan  and  Piou}  This  last  Nation  borders  upon 
the  Cenis,  at  the  Entrance  into  whose  first  Village  I  left 
my  Reader,  to  give  an  Account  of  the  Inhabitants,  and 
thither  I  return,  to  proceed  with  my  Relation  and  our  Jour- 
ney to  the  Village,  the  French  Man  who  liv'd  among  the 
Natives  was  to  conduct  us  to. 

We  arrived  there  at  Night,  and  found  other  Elders  com- 
ing out  to  meet  us,  much  after  the  same  Manner  as  the 
others  mentioned  before.  They  led  us  to  their  Cottage, 
made  us  sit  down  on  Mats  and  smoke,  but  not  with  so 
much  Ceremony  as  the  others.  That  done,  it  was  Time 
for  us  to  take  our  Rest,  having  given  them  to  understand 
that  we  were  weary. 

The  French  Provencal  w^ould  needs  have  us  go  to  his  French 
Cottage,  that  is  to  the  Hut  where  he  had  his  Dwelling;  ^y^""'*''^ 
for,  as  I  have  said,  there  are  several  Families  in  one  of  Natives. 
them,  and  that  was  one  of  the  greatest  in  the  Canton,  hav- 
ing been  the  Habitation   of  one  of  their  Chief's,   lately 
deceased. 

They  allotted  us  a  Place  there,  for  our  Goods  and  Packs, 
the  Women  immediately  made  Sagamite  or  Pottage,  and 


Takensa, 

Fr.  Tahenssa 

Enepiahe, 

"    Enepiahce 

A  honerhopiheim, 

"    Ahouerhopiheim 

Ahekouen, 

"    AhehoUen 

Meghty, 

'•    Meghey 

Kouayon, 

"    KoUayan 

Cagabeguxj 

"     Coyabegux 

Pickar, 

"    Pichar 

Tokau, 

"    Tohau 

Peihoun, 

"    Peihoum 

148         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Apr.  1687  gave  it  us.  Having  eaten,  we  ask'd  the  French  Man 
v^^hether  we  were  safe,  and  he  answering  we  were,  we  lay 
down,  but  yet  could  not  sleep  sound. 

The  next  Day,  being  the  first  of  April,  the  Elders  came 
to  receive  and  conducted  us  to  the  Cottage  where  we  had 
been  the  Day  before.  After  the  usual  Ceremonies,  we 
traded  with  them  for  Com,  Meal  and  Beans,  giving  in 
Exchange  for  the  same.  Needles,  Knives,  Rings  and  other 
i4  Horse  Toys.  We  also  purchased  a  very  fine  Stone  Horse,^  that 
jj^  for  an  ^^^j^j  hzNt  been  worth  twenty  Pistoles  in  France,  for  an 
Ax. 

The  Day  was  spent  in  driving  our  small  Bargains  and 
gathering  Provisions,  which  the  Women  brought.  When 
that  was  done,  it  was  agreed,  that  I  should  remain  there, 
to  lay  up  more  Store,  and  that  the  others  should  return  to 
our  Company,  which  we  had  left  near  the  River,  to  carry 
the  Provisions  and  satisfy  them  they  might  come  safely. 

Tho'  I  thought  my  self  not  over  secure  among  the  In- 
dians, and  besides  had  the  Dissatisfaction  of  understand- 
ing none  of  their  Language;  yet  was  I  not  unwilling  to 
stay,  that  I  might  have  an  Opportunity  of  seeing  the  two 
other  French  Men,  who  had  forsaken  the  late  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale,  when  he  first  travelled  into  that  Country,  that  I 
might  enquire  of  them,  whether  they  had  heard  no  talk  of 
the  Missisipi  River,  for  I  still  held  my  Resolution  of  part- 
ing from  our  wicked  Murderers. 

As  soon  as  they  were  gone,  I  gave  a  young  Indian  a 
Knife,  to  go  bid  those  two  other  French  Men  come  to  me, 
and  whilst  he  was  going  I  drove  on  my  little  Trade  for 
Provisions,  and  had  frequent  Visits  from  the  Elders,  who 
entertained  me  by  Signs,  with  an  Account  of  their  intended 
War;  to  which  I  still  answer'd,  nodding  my  Head,  tho' 
very  often  I  knew  not  what  they  meant.  It  was  some  Dif- 
ficulty to  me  to  secure  my  small  Merchandize,  especially  at 
Night,  for  the  Natives  were  covetous  of  them. 

1  Fr.  un  cheval  entier  et  fort  beau  " —  a  very  handsome  entire  horse. 
C  C.  edit.:  i.  e.,  a  stallion. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  149 

This  Care,  which  kept  me  from  Sleeping  sound,  was  the  Apr.  1687 
Occasion,  that  one  Night  I  heard  some  Body  moving  near 
my  Bed,  and  opening  my  Eyes,  by  the  Light  of  the  Fire, 
which  never  goes  out  in  those  Cottages,  perceived  a  Man 
stark  naked,  with  a  Bow  and  two  Arrows  in  his  Hand,  The  Author 
who  came  and  sat  down  by  me,  without  saying  any  Thing.  ^^^'^  ^^' 
I  viewM  him  for  some  Time,  I  spoke  to  him,  he  made  me  French 
no  Answer,  and  not  knowing  what  to  think  of  it,  I  laid  ^^"^j^dla^. 
hold  of  my  two  Pistols  and  my  Firelock,  which  the  Man 
perceiving,  he  went  and  sat  by  the  Fire.     I  followed,  and 
looking  steadfastly  on  him,   he  knew  and  spoke  to  me, 
throwing  his  Arms  about  and  embracing  me,   and  then 
made  himself  known  to  be  one  of  the  French  Men  I  had 
sent  for. 

We  fell  into  Discourse,  I  ask'd  him  for  his  Comrade,  he 
told  me,  he  durst  not  come,  for  Fear  of  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale,  They  were  both  Sailors,  this  Man,  who  was  of 
Britany,  was  call'd  Ruter;  the  other,  of  Rochelle,  Grollet. 
They  had,  in  that  short  Space  of  Time,  so  perfectly  enur'd 
themselves  to  the  Customs  of  the  Natives,  that  they  were 
become  meer  Savages.  They  were  naked,  their  Faces  and  French 
Bodies  with  Figures  wrought  on  them,  like  the  rest.  They  savage. 
had  taken  several  Wives,  been  at  the  Wars  and  kill'd  their 
Enemies  with  their  Firelocks,  which  had  gain'd  them  Repu- 
tation; but  having  no  more  Powder  nor  Ball,  their  Arms 
were  grown  useless,  and  they  had  been  forc'd  to  learn  to 
shoot  with  Bows  and  Arrows.  As  for  Religion,  they  were 
not  troubled  with  much  of  it,  and  that  Libertine  Life  they 
led,  was  pleasing  to  them. 

I  acquainted  this  Man  with  the  unfortunate  Death  of 
Monsr.  de  la  Sale,  his  Nephew  and  the  rest,  at  which,  he 
was  surpris'd  and  concem'd,  at  least  in  outward  Appear- 
ance. I  ask'd  him,  whether  he  had  not  heard  talk  of  the 
Missisipi ;  he  told  me  he  had  not ;  but  only  that  there  was  a 
great  River  forty  Leagues  from  thence  towards  the  N.  W 

1  Fr.  Nord'oiiest " —  Northwest. 


7  1 


150         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Apr.  1687  where  the  Natives  said  there  were  many  Nations  along  its 
Banks.  That  made  me  believe,  it  was  the  very  River  we 
were  in  Search  of,  or  at  least  that  it  must  be  the  Way  to 
come  at  it.    I  gave  him  to  eat,  and  we  went  to  Rest. 

The  next  and  the  following  Days,  I  continued  trading, 
and  the  Elders  their  Visits,  and  their  Discourse  by  Signs, 
concerning  their  intended  War.  Some  of  them  gave  me  to 
understand,  that  they  had  been  among  the  Spaniards,  who 
are  nevertheless  about  two  hundred  Leagues  from  them. 
They  spoke  some  Words  of  broken  Spanish,  as  Capita,  in- 
stead of  Capitan,  a  Captain,  and  Cohavillo  instead  of  Ca- 
vallo,  a  Horse,  and  so  of  some  others.  Ruter,  the  French 
Man  retum'd  to  his  Dwelling,  I  gave  him  some  Strings  of 
Beads  for  his  Wives,  and  desir'd  him  to  send  the  other 
French  Man  to  me. 
Indian  In  the  mean  Time  my  being  alone,  as  to  any  Person  I 

brought  to  ^^^^^  converse  with,  grew  very  irksome  to  me,  and  I  know 
the  Author,  not  whether  an  old  Man  did  not  perceive  it ;  for  he  thought 
it  would  be  proper  to  bring  a  Companion,  to  divert  me, 
and  at  Night  I  was  surpris'd  to  see  a  young  Maid  come 
sit  down  by  me,  and  to  hear  the  old  Man  tell  me,  he  had 
brought  her  to  be  my  Wife,  and  gave  her  to  me ;  but  I  had 
far  different  Thoughts  to  disturb  me.  I  spoke  not  one 
Word  to  that  poor  Maid ;  she  stay'd  some  Time  expecting 
I  would  take  notice  of  her,  and  perceiving  I  did  not  stir,  or 
speak  one  Word,  she  withdrew. 
French  Thus  I  continu'd,  without  hearing  any  News,  till  the 

IndTans^^  Sixth  of  April,  when  the  two  French  Men,  I  have  spoken 
of,  came  both,  in  the  Indian  Dress,  each  of  them  having 
only  a  Clout  about  him,  some  Turky  Feathers  on  their 
Shoulders,  their  Heads  and  Feet  bare.  The  latter  of  them 
whose  name  was  Grollet,  had  not  consented  to  have  his 
Face  marked  like  the  other,  nor  to  cut  his  Hair  after  the 
Indian  Manner;  for  those  People  cut  off  all  theirs,  except 
a  small  Lock  on  the  Crown  of  the  Head,  like  the  Turks, 
only  some  of  them  have  small  Tresses  on  the  Temples. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  151 

I  repeated  to  them  the  Narrative  of  Monsieur  de  la  Apr.  1687 
Sale's  unfortunate   Story.       They  confirm' d  what  I  had  "" 

been  told  before,  that  the  Natives  had  talked  to  them  of 
the  great  River,  which  was  forty  Leagues  off,  towards  the 
N.  E.  and  that  there  were  People  like  us,  that  dwelt  on  the 
Banks  of  it.  This  confirm'd  me  in  the  Opinion,  that  it  was 
the  River  so  much  sought  after,  and  that  we  must  go  that 
Way  to  return  to  Canada  or  towards  New  England.  They 
told  me,  they  would  willingly  go  with  us.  I  desired  them 
to  keep  it  secret,  which  they  did  not,  for  being  inform'd 
that  Monsieur  Cavelier  and  the  others  were  coming,  they 
went  to  meet  them,  and  I  was  again  left  alone. 

The  8th,  three  Men  came  to  me,  one  of  which  was  the  The  Mur- 
French  Man  of  Provence,  with  each  of  them  a  Horse,  sent  s^lvVto're- 
by  our  People  to  carry  away  all  the  Provisions  I  had  got  i^rn  to  the 
together,  having  taken  a  Resolution,  as  those  Persons  they  ^f^  5^^** 
had  sent  told  us,  to  return  to  the  Dwelling  of  St.  Lewis,  Lewis, 
about  the  Bay  of  the  same  Name,  from  whence  we  came ; 
designing,  as  they  pretended,  to  build  a  Boat  there,  to  carry 
them  over  to  the  Islands  of  America)  an  impracticable  No- 
tion, for  all  our  Carpenters  were  dead,  and  tho'  they  had 
been  alive,  they  were  so  ignorant,  that  none  of  them  would 
have  known  which  Way  to  go  about  that  Work;  besides 
that,  we  were  destitute  of  all  Necessaries  for  that  Effect. 
However  we  must  obey,  and  set  out  with  our  Provisions. 
The  Rain  having  detain'd  us  the  9th  on  the  Way,  we  could 
not  come  up  to  them  till  the  next  Day,  being  the  Tenth. 

Father  Anastasius  gave  me  the  Confirmation  of  that  De- 
sign, and  farther  told  me  how  roughly  they  had  been 
treated  by  those  Murderers  since  my  Departure.  I  know 
not  what  it  was  that  mov'd  them  to  it,  but  they  had  re- 
solved to  seperate  themselves  from  those  Villains,  and  that 
we  should  eat  apart,  vis.  Monsieur  Cavelier  the  Priest,  F. 
Anastasius,  young  Cavelier  and  I,  which  was  very  agree- 
able to  us,  because  at  least  we  could  talk  freely,  which  we 
durst  not  do  before;  but  at  the  same  Time  they  allow'd  us 


152         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


and  others 
resolve  to 
part  from 
the  Mur- 
derers. 


Design  of 
the  Mur- 
derers. 


Apr.  1687     no  more  Provisions  than  would  suffice  to  keep  us  from 
.starving,  without  giving  us  Share  of  any  Flesh,  tho'  they 
often  kiird. 

The  Author  Our  Tyrants  still  holding  their  Resolution  to  return  to 
their  former  Habitation,  thought  they  had  not  Horses 
enough,  and  therefore  deputed  four  of  their  Number,  one 
of  which  was  the  French  Man  half  tum'd  Indian,  to  return 
to  the  Village  of  the  Cenis  and  endeavour  to  barter  for 
some.  At  the  same  Time  we  agreed  together  to  let  those 
Gentlemen  know,  th^t  we  were  too  much  fatigued  to  re- 
turn with  them  to  the  said  Habitation,  and  were  resolved 
to  remain  in  the  Village  of  the  Cenis.  Monsieur  Cavelier 
undertook  to  be  our  Speaker,  and  to  desire  Duhaut,  who 
was  Master  of  all,  to  give  us  some  Axes,  Knives  and 
Strings  of  Beads,  Powder  and  Shot,  offering  to  give  him  a 
Note  of  his  Hand  for  the  same. 

To  conclude.  Monsieur  Cavelier  made  the  Proposal  to 
Duhaiit,  disguis'd  it  the  best  he  was  able,  and  Duhaut  took 
till  the  next  Day  to  return  his  answer.  He  consulted  with 
his  Companions,  and  acquainted  us,  that  they  would  deal 
handsomely  by  us,  and  give  us  half  the  Effects  and  all  the 
Axes,  intending  to  make  the  most  Speed  they  could,  to.  get 
to  our  former  Dwelling,  and  to  put  in  Execution  what  they 
had  before  designed,  as  to  the  Building  of  a  Bark.  But  in 
Case  they  could  not  succeed,  for  want  of  Necessaries,  they 
would  immediately  return  to  us  and  bring  F.  Zenobius 
along  with  them,  who  would  be  serviceable  to  us,  because, 
having  been  with  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  upon  his  first  Dis- 
covery, he  understood  the  Language  of  the  Nations  about 
the  Missisipi  River.  That  whilst  they  were  upon  that 
Journey,  we  should  take  Care  to  gather  a  Stock  of  Pro- 
visions, and  that  if  they  succeeded  in  building  the  Bark, 
they  would  send  us  Word,  that  we  might  repair  to  them. 
Monsieur  Cavelier  approved  of  all  they  said,  tho'  we  had 
other  Designs.  However  it  proved  we  were  all  Mistaken, 
for  Providence  had  ordered  Affairs  otherwise. 

We  stayed  there  some  Time,  expecting  those  who  were 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  153 

gone  to  the  Cents,  they  staying  longer  than  was  requisite  May  1687 
for  that  Journey.    The  overflowing  of  the  River  was  their  ' 

Pretence,  but  the  true  Reason  was  the  Women,  who  as  I 
have  said,  are  not  so  forward  as  to  offer  themselves,  but  on 
the  other  Hand  will  not  be  over  difficult  in  complying  for 
some  little  Present,  and  those  who  were  sent  did  not  grudge 
their  Time.  In  the  mean  while  the  Posture  of  our  Affairs 
changed,  as  follows. 

One  of  our  half  Savage  French  Men,  whom  I  had  ac-  Murderers 
quainted  with  our  Design  to  go  find  the  Missisipi,  com-  change 
municated  it  to  Hautoi^  telling  him  all  the  particulars  he 
had  before  acquainted  me  with ;  whereupon  Duhaut  chang'd 
his  Mind,  as  to  the  Design  of  going  to  the  Habitation  of 
St.  Lewis,  resolving  to  follow  our  intended  Way  and  exe- 
cute our  Project.  He  imparted  his  Thoughts  to  his  Com- 
panions, who  were  of  the  same  Opinion,  and  all  of  them 
acquainted  us,  that  they  were  ready  to  put  in  Execution 
the  Enterprize  we  had  formed. 

This  Change  troubled  us  very  much,  there  being  nothing 
we  coveted  more  than  to  part  with  those  Miscreants,  from 
whom  we  could  at  a  long  Run  expect  no  better  Usage  than 
they  had  afforded  our  Commander  and  his  Friends.  How- 
ever, it  was  still  requisite  to  dissemble,  there  being  no  other 
Remedy  at  that  Time :  But  God's  Justice  provided  for  and 
rescued  us.  We  continued  in  that  Camp  all  the  remain- 
ing part  of  April,  expecting  the  Persons  that  had  been  sent 
to  the  Cenis,  and  Duhaut  intending  to  begin  to  put  in  Exe- 
cution his  Design  of  going  to  find  out  the  Missisipi,  with 
us,  made  us  advance  towards  the  River  that  was  near,  in 
order  to  pass  it  as  soon  as  fallen,  and  repair  to  the  Village 
of  the  Cenis. 

We  staid  three  Days  longer  in  that  Post,  at  the  End  Murderers 
whereof,  he  we  call'd  Larcheveque,  one  of  those  that  had  ^^f^.  »** 
been  sent  out,  cross  d  the  River.     He  was  Dulmut  s  Crea- 
ture, and  an  Accomplice  in  the  Murder  of  Monsieur  de  la 

iThis  name,  although  same  in  French  original,  is  probably  a  mis- 
print for  Leitot. 


154         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


May  1687. 


Hiens 
kills  Du- 
haut,  and 
Ruter 
Liotot. 


Sale.  He  informM^  Duhaut,  that  one  they  call'd  Hiens, 
who  was  also  one  of  our  Messengers,  and  had  stayed  on 
the  other  Side  of  the  River,  had  heard  of  Duhaut  and  the 
rest  altering  their  Resolution,  and  that  he  was  not  of  their 
Mind.  Hiens  was  a  Buccanier,  and  by  Birth  a  German, 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  brought  him  from  Petit  Gouave, 
and  he  was  also  accessary  to  the  late  Murders. 

After  we  had  been  some  Days  longer  in  the  same  Place, 
Hiens  arriv'd  with  the  two  half  Savage  French  Men  and 
about  twenty  Natives.  He  went  immediately  to  Duhaut, 
and  after  some  Discourse,  told  him,  he  was  not  for  going 
towards  the  Missisipi,  because  it  would  be  of  dangerous 
Consequence  for  them,  and  therefore  demanded  his  Share 
of  the  Effects  he  had  seiz'd  upon.  Duhaut  refusing  to 
comply,  and  affirming,  that  all  the  Axes  were  his  own: 
Hiens,  who  it  is  likely  had  laid  the  Design  before  to  kill 
him,  immediately  drew  his  Pistol,  and  fired  it  upon  Duhaut, 
who  stagger' d  about  four  Paces  from  the  Place  and  fell 
down  dead.  At  the  same  Time  Ruter,  who  had  been  with 
Hiens,  fired  his  Piece  upon  Liotot,  the  Surgeon,  and  shot 
him  thro'  with  three  Balls. 

These  Murders  committed  before  us,  put  me  into  a  ter- 
rible Consternation;  for  believing  the  same  was  designed 
for  me,  I  laid  hold  of  my  Fire-Lock  to  defend  my  self ;  but 
Hiens  ciy'd  out  to  me,  to  fear  nothing,  to  lay  down  my 
Arms,  and  assur'd  me  he  had  no  Design  against  me;  but 
that  he  had  reveng'd  his  Master's  Death.  He  also  satis- 
fy'd  Monsieur  Cavelier  and  Father  Anastasius,  who  were 
as  much  frighted  as  my  self,  declaring  he  meant  them  no 
Harm,  and  that  tho'  he  had  been  in  the  Conspiracy,  yet  had 
he  been  present  at  the  Time  when  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  was 
kill'd,  he  would  not  have  consented,  but  rather  have  ob- 
structed it, 

Liotot  liv'd  some  Hours  after,  and  had  the  good  Fortune 
to  make  his  Confession;  after  which,  the  same  Ruter,  put 


iFr.  "II  apprit  de  Duhaut"— He  learned  from  Duhaut. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  155 

him  out  of  his  Pain,  with  a  Pistol-Shot.  We  dug  a  Hole  May  1687 
in  the  Earth,  and  bury'd  him  in  it  with  Duhaut,  doing  them 
more  Honour  than  they  had  done  to  Monsieur  de  la  Sale 
and  his  Nephew  Moranget,  whom  they  left  to  be  devour'd 
by  wild  Beasts.  Thus  those  Murderers  met  with  what  they 
had  deserv'd,  dying  the  same  Death  they  had  put  others  to. 

The  Natives,  Hiens  had  brought  with  him,  having  been 
Spectators  of  that  Murder,  were  in  a  Consternation,  and 
that  Affair  was  of  dangerous  Consequence  to  us,  who  stood 
in  Need  of  them.  It  was  therefore  requisite  to  make  the  More  Mis- 
hit of  it,  giving  them  to  understand,  that  there  had  been  ^^Jf^^/^^~ 
Reason  for  so  punishing  those  dead  Persons,  because  they 
had  all  the  Powder  and  Ball,  and  would  not  give  any  to 
the  rest.  They  remain'd  satisfy'd  with  that  Excuse,  and 
he  who  was  called  Larcheveque,  and  who  was  entirely  de- 
voted to  Diihaut,  being  Abroad  a  hunting  since  the  Morn- 
ing, and  not  knowing  what  Misfortune  had  hapned  his 
Protector,  and  Hiens  being  resolv'd  to  make  away  with 
him.  Father  Anastasius  and  Monsieur  Cavelier  took  so 
much  Pains,  that  they  disswaded  him  from  it,  and  I  went 
out  and  met  Larcheveque,  to  give  him  Notice  of  that  Dis- 
aster, and  to  inform  him,  how  he  was  to  behave  himself. 
Thus  I  requited  him  for  having  come  to  give  me  Notice  of 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Death.  I  brought  him  to  Hiens, 
who  declar'd  he  design'd  him  no  Harm,  and  Larcheveque 
gave  him  the  same  Assurances  on  his  Part.  Thus  all 
Things  are  again  compos'd,  and  nothing  remain'd,  but  for 
us  to  set  out,  but  first  to  know  what  we  were  to  do,  and 
which  Way  to  direct  our  Course. 

Hereupon,  Heins  took  upon  him'  to  speak,  and  said,  he 
had  promised  the  Natives  to  go  to  the  War  with  them,  and 
designed  to  be  as  good  as  his  Word ;  that  if  we  would  ex- 
pect his  Return,  we  might  by  that  Time  consider  which 
Way  he  would  move,^  and  that  in  the  mean  Time  we 

^  That  we  might  see  what  direction  we  could  take  [«.  e.,  take  informa- 
tion as  to  their  future  line  of  march],    m.  b.  a. 


156  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


May  1687 


Six  French 
Men  go  to 
the   Wars 
with  the 
Natives. 


Bewailing 
the  Memory 
of  Men 
killed. 


might  stay  in  the  Village  among  the  Cents.  This  was  re- 
solved on;  we  loaded  all  our  Effects  on  our  Horses,  and 
repaired  to  the  same  Place  and  the  same  Cottage,  where 
we  had  been  before,  the  Chief  of  it  assigning  us  the  one 
Half  to  lodge  and  lay  up  our  Baggage. 

When  the  Day  for  setting  out  for  the  War  was  come, 
Hiens  departed  with  the  Natives,  four  of  our  Comrades 
and  the  two  half  Savage  French  Men  going  along  with 
him ;  so  that  there  were  six  of  them,  and  each  took  a  Horse. 
Hiens  left  us  all  the  Effects,  and  desir'd  we  would  stay  for 
him,  which  we  promis'd,  not  knowing  how  to  avoid  it,  con- 
sidering, that  the  Indians  might  have  done  us  Harm,  and 
even  have  obstructed  our  Departure.  Thus  we  resign' d 
ourselves  to  Providence,  and  remain'd  six  of  us  together, 
ms.  Father  Anastasius,  Monsieur  Cavelier,  his  Nephew 
young  Cavelier,  young  Talon,  another  Youth  of  Paris, 
and  I.  There  also  remain'd  some  old  Men,  who  could  not 
go  to  the  War,  and  the  Women.  We  were  also  join'd  by 
two  other  French  Men,  who  had  been  left  on  the  other  Side 
the  River,  being  the  Provencal  and  one  Teissier. 

During  our  Stay,  and  our  Warriors  being  abroad  upon 
that  Expedition,  the  old  Men  often  visited  us,  and  told  us 
News  from  the  Army  by  Signs,  which  we  understood 
nothing  of.  We  were  from  Time  to  Time  alarm' d,  seeing 
the  Women  weep,  without  any  visible  cause.  The  late 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale  had  often  told  us,  that  the  Women 
bewail'd  those  that  were  to  be  kill'd ;  but  we  were  inform'd, 
that  they  did  so,  when  they  call'd  to  Mind  some  who  had 
been  slain  in  the  former  Wars ;  which  dispell'd  our  Appre- 
hensions. However  we  were  uneasy,  because  those  old 
Men  and  Women  examined  us  every  Morning  and  Evening 
when  we  perform'd  our  Devotions. 

We  laid  hold  of  that  Opportunity  to  give  them  to  under- 
stand, that  we  paid  our  Duty  to  one  God,  the  only  Supreme 
Sovereign  of  all  Things,  pointing  to  Heaven,  and  endeav- 
ouring in  the  best  Manner  we  were  able,  to  signify  to 
them  that  he  was  Almighty,  that  he  had  made  all  Things, 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  157 

that  he  caus'd  the  Earth  to  produce,  it's  Fruits  to  prosper,  May  1687 
and  the  Growth  of  it,  which  maintained  them  to  thrive ; 
but  this  being  only  by  Signs,  they  did  not  understand  us, 
and  we  labour' d  in  vain. 

The  1 8th,  we  were  surpriz'd  to  see  several  Women  come  Women  re- 
into  our  Cottage,  their  Faces  all  besmear'd  with  Earth,  and  -Z^?^^  «' 
they  set  up  their  Throats,  singing  several  Songs  as  loud    *^   ^^' 
as  they  were  able,^  whereof  we  understood  not  one  Word. 
That  done,  they  fell  a  Dancing  in  a  Ring,  and  we  could  not 
tell,  what  to  think  of  that  Rejoicing,  which  lasted  full  three 
Hours;  after  which  we  were  inform'd,  they  had  received 
Advice  of  the  Victory  obtained  by  their  Warriors  over  their 
Enemies.    The  Dance  concluded,  those  in  the  Cottage  gave 
some  Bits  of  Tobacco  to  those  without. 

The  same  Day,  about  Noon,  we  saw  him  that  had  brought 
the  News,  who  affirm'd  they  had  kill'd  at  least  Forty  of 
their  Enemies.  After  the  Rejoicing,  all  the  Women  ap- 
ply'd  themselves  to  make  ready  their  Provisions,  some  to 
pound  Indian  Corn,  others  to  boil  Meal,  which  they  call 
Grouller,  and  others  to  bake  Bread,  to  carry  to  the  War- 
riors. They  all  set  out  the  19th  to  meet  them,  and  we 
thought  it  in  policy  convenient  to  send  Meat  to  our  Men 
which  was  done  by  the  French  Man  of  Provence,  who  went 
with  the  Women. 

That  same  Day,  at  Night,  the  Victorious  Army  returned,  Account  of 
and  we  were  informed,  that  their  Enemies  whom  they  call  ^'^^  f  ?'l'^ 
Cannohatinno,  had  expected  them  boldly,  but  that  having  the  Cenis. 
heard  the  Noise,  and  felt  the  Effects  of  our  Mens  Fire 
Arms,  they  all  fled,  so  that  the  Cenis  had  either  kill'd  or 
taken  Forty  Eight  Men  and  Women.    They  had  slain  sev- 
eral of  the  latter,  who  fled  to  the  Tops  of  Trees,  for  want 
of  Time  to  make  their  Escape  otherwise;  so  that  many 
more  Women  had  perish'd  than  Men. 

They  brought  Home  two  of  those  Women  alive,  otiQ  Barbariiy 
of  whom  had  her  Head  flead  for  the  Sake  of  her  Hair  and  f^J^^J^^^"* 

Woman 

^ Fr.   "qui   se  mirent  a  chanter  a  pleine  gorge  des   chansons  dif-  taken. 
ferentes  " —  who  began  loudly  to  sing  various  songs.    C.  C.  edit. 


158  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

May  1687  Skin.  They  gave  that  wretched  Creature  a  Charge  of 
Powder  and  a  Ball,  and  sent  Her  home,  bidding  her  carry 
that  Present  to  her  Nation,  and  to  assure  them,  they  should 
be  again  treated  after  the  same  Manner,  that  is,  kill'd  with 
Fire  Arms. 
Of  the  The  other  Woman  was  kept  to  fall  a  Sacrifice  to  the 

women.  Rage  and  Vengeance  of  the  Women  and  Maids ;  who  hav- 
ing arm'd  themselves  with  thick  Stakes,  sharp  Pointed  at 
the  End,  Conducted  that  Wretch  to  a  By-Place,  where  each 
of  those  Furies  began  to  torment  her,  sometimes  with  the 
Point  of  their  Staff,  and  sometimes  laying  on  her  with  all 
their  Might.  One  tore  off  her  Hair,  another  cut  off  her 
Finger,  and  every  one  of  those  outrageous  Women  en- 
deavour'd  to  put  her  to  some  exquisite  Torture,  to  revenge 
the  Death  of  their  Husbands  and  Kinsmen,  who  had  been 
kiird  in  the  former  Wars ;  so  that  the  unfortunate  Creature 
expected  her  Death  Stroke,  as  Mercy. 
Inhumanity.  At  last,  one  of  them  gave  her  a  Stroke  with  a  heavy 
Club  on  the  Head,  and  another  run  her  Stake  several  Times 
into  her  Body,  with  which  she  fell  down  Dead  on  the  Spot. 
Then  they  cut  that  Miserable  Victim  into  Morsels,  and 
obliged  some  Slaves  of  that  Nation,  they  had  been  long 
possessed  of  to  eat  them. 
Cruel  Thus  our  Warriors  return'd  Triumphant  from  that  Ex- 

Trophtes.  pedition.  They  spared  none  of  the  Prisoners  they  had  taken, 
except  two  little  Boys,  and  brought  Home  all  the  Skins  of 
their  Heads,  with  the  Hair,  to  be  kept  as  Trophies  and 
glorious  Memorials  of  their  Victory. 

The  next  Day  all  those  Savages  met  in  their  Chiefs 
Cottage,  whither  all  the  abovemention'd  Heads  of  Hair 
were  carry'd  in  State.  Then  they  made  extraordinary  Re- 
joicings in  that  Cottage,  whence  they  went  to  the  Huts  of 
the  other  Prime  Men,  to  perform  the  same  Ceremony.  This 
Rejoicing  lasted  three  Days,  our  French  Companions,  who 
had  been  the  Cause  of  their  Victory,  being  call'd  to  it,  and 
highly  entertained,  after  their  Manner.  It  will  not  be  dis- 
agreeable to  the  Reader,  that  I  here  particularly  describe 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  159 

that  Ceremony,  which  after  having  been  perform'd  in  the  May  1687 

Cottages  of  the  Chief  Men,  was  repeated  in  ours. 

In  the  first   Place,  the  Cottage  was  made  very  clean,  Ceremony 

adorn'd,  and  abundant  of  Mats  laid  on  the  Floor,  on  which  ^^  ^^Jotc- 

tng. 
the  Elders,  and  the  most  considerable  Persons  sate;  after 

which,  one  of  them,  who  is  in  the  Nature  of  an  Orator, 
or  Master  of  the  Ceremonies  stood  up  and  made  a  Speech, 
of  which  we  understood  not  a  Word.  Soon  after  that  Dis- 
course was  ended,  the  Warriors  arrived,  who  had  slain  any 
in  Battle,  marching  in  their  proper  Order,  each  of  them 
carrying  a  Bow  and  two  Arrows,  and  before  every  one  of 
them  went  his  Wife,  carrying  the  Enemies  Head  of  Hair. 
Two  little  Boys,  whose  Lives  they  had  spared,  as  has  been 
said  before,  one  of  them  who  was  wounded  being  a  Horse- 
back, clos'd  the  procession;  at  the  Head  whereof,  was  a 
Woman  carrying  a  large  Reed,  or  Cane  in  her  Hand. 

As  they  came  up  to  the  Orator,  the  Warrior  took  the 
Head  of  Hair  his  Wife  had  brought,  and  presented  it  to 
him,  which  the  said  Orator  receiv'd  with  both  his  Hands, 
and  after  having  held  it  out  towards  the  four  Quarters  of 
the  World,  he  laid  it  down  on  the  Ground,  and  then  took 
the  next,  performing  the  same  Ceremony,  till  he  had  gone 
over  them  all. 

When  the  Ceremony  was  ended,  they  serv'd  up  the  Saga- 
mite,  in  the  Nature  of  Hasty  Pudding,  which  those  Women 
had  provided,  and  before  any  one  touch'd  it,  the  Master  of 
the  Ceremonies  took  some  in  a  Vessel,  which  he  carry'd  as 
an  Offering  to  those  Heads  of  Hair.  Then  he  lighted  a  Pipe 
of  Tabacco,  and  blow'd  the  Smoke  upon  them.  That  being 
perform'd,  they  all  fell  to  the  Meat,  Bits  of  the  Woman  that 
had  been  sacriUc'd  were  served  up  to  the  two  Boys  of  her 
Nation.  They  also  serv'd  up  dry'd  Tongues  of  their  Ene- 
mies, and  the  whole  concluded  with  Dancing  and  Singing 
after  their  Manner :  After  which,  they  went  to  other  Cot- 
tages to  repeat  the  same  Ceremony. 

There  was  no  talk  of  our  Design  till  those  Rejoycings 
were  over,  and  I  began  to  conceive  good  Hopes  of  our 


i6o         Monsieuri  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

May  1687  Success.  The  two  Murderers,  Teissier  and  Larcheveque, 
who  had  both  a  Hand  in  the  Death  of  Monsr.  de  la  Sale, 
had  promis'd  to  go  along  with  us,  provided  Monsr.  Cave- 
Her  would  pardon  them,  and  he  had  given  them  his  Word 
so  to  do.  In  this  Expectation  we  continued  till  the  25th, 
when  our  French  Men,  who  had  been  at  the  War,  repaired 
to  our  Cottage,  and  we  consulted  about  our  Business. 

Hiens  and  others  of  his  Gang,  disapproving  of  our  De- 
sign, represented  to  us  such  Difficulties  as  they  looked  upon 
to  be  unsurmountable,  under  which  we  must  inevitably 
perish,  or  at  least  be  oblig'd  to  return  to  the  same  Place. 
Hiens  told  us,  that  for  his  own  Part,  he  would  not  hazard 
his  Life  to  return  into  France,  only  to  have  his  Head 
chopped  off,  and  perceiving  we  answer' d  Nothing  to  that,  but 
that  we  persisted  in  our  Resolution,  It  is  requisite  then,  said 
he,  to  divide  what  Eifects  remain. 

Hiens  Accordingly  he  laid  aside,  for  F.  Anastasius,  Messieurs 

gives  the      Cavelier,  the  Uncle  and  the  Nephew,^  thirty  Axes,  four  or 
others  what  ^       _-^  ^-r^.  ,  *.        -A         irx^i  1 

he  pleases,    five  Dozens  of  Knives,  about  thirty  Pounds  of  Powder  and 

mere!rof    *^^  ^^^^  Quantity  of  Ball.    He  gave  each  of  the  others  two 
the  Eifects.  Axes,  two  Knives,  two  or  three  Pounds  of  Powder,  with  as 
much  Ball,  and  kept  the  rest.    As  for  the  Horses,  he  kept 
the  best  and  left  us  the  three  least.     Monsieur  Cavelier 
ask'd  him  for  some  Strings  of  Beads,  which  he  granted, 
and  seized  upon  all  the  late  Monsr.  de  la  Sale's  Cloaths, 
Baggage  and  other  Effects,  besides  above  a  thousand  Livres 
in  Money,  which  belong'd  to  the  late  Monsr.  le  Gros,  who 
dy'd  at  our  Dwelling  of  St.  Lewis.    Before  our  Departure, 
it  was  a  sensible  Affliction  to  us,  to  see  that  Villain  walk 
about,  in  a  scarlet  Coat,  with  Gold  Galons,  which  had  be- 
long'd to  the  late  Monsr.  de  la  Sale,  and  which,  as  I  have 
said,  he  had  seiz'd. 
Mr.  Cave-        After  that,  Hiens  and  his  Companions  withdrew  to  their 
her  and  his  q^^  Cottage,  and  we  resolv'd  not  to  put  off  our  Departure 

part  from 

the  others.  1  M.  Moranget  Following  the  word  "nephew,"  in  the  Fr.  are  the 
words  "&  pour  moy" — and  for  me. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  i6i 

any  longer.  Accordingly,  we  made  ready  our  Horses,  May  1687 
which  much  alarm' d  the  Natives,  and  especially  the  Chief 
of  them,  who  said  and  did  all  he  could  to  obstruct  our 
Journey,  promising  us  Wives,  Plenty  of  Provisions,  repre- 
senting to  us  the  immense  Dangers,  as  well  from  Enemies, 
who  surrounded  them,  as  from  the  bad  and  impassable 
Ways  and  the  many  Woods  and  Rivers  we  were  to  pass. 
However,  we  were  not  to  be  moved,  and  only  ask'd  one 
Kindness  of  him,  in  obtaining  of  which,  there  were  many 
difficulties,  and  it  was,  that  he  would  give  us  Guides  to 
conduct  us  to  Cappa ;  but  at  length,  after  much  Trouble  and 
many  Promises  of  a  good  Reward,  one  was  granted,  and 
two  others  went  along  with  him. 

All  Things  being  thus  ordered  for  our  Departure,  we  took 
Leave  of  our  Hosts,  passed  by  Heins's  Cottage  and  em- 
braced him  and  his  Companions.    We  ask'd  him  for  another 
Horse,  which  he  granted.     He  desired  an  Attestation  in 
Latin  of  Monsieur  Cavelier,  that  he  had  not  been  concerned 
in  the  Murder  of  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  which  was  given  him, 
because  there  was  no  refusing  of  it;  and  we  set  forward 
without  Larcheveque  and  Meunier,  who  did  not  keep  their  French 
Word  with  us,  but  remain' d  among  those  Barbarians,  being  ^^^  j^^^^ 
infatuated  with  that  Course  of  Libertinism  they  had  run  Indians, 
themselves  into.     Thus  there  were  only  seven  of  us  that  Q^iy  ^g^g^ 
stuck  together  to  return  to  Canada,  viz.    Father  Anastasius,  ^^t  out  for 
Messieurs  Cavelier  the  Uncle  and  the  Nephew,  the  Sieur  de 
Marie,  one  Teissier,  a  young  Man  born  at  Paris,  whose 
Name  was  Bartholomezv  and  I,  with  six  horses  and  the  three 
Indians,  who  were  to  be  our  Guides ;  a  very  small  Number 
for  so  great  an  Enterprize,  but  we  put  ourselves  entirely  into 
the  Hands  of  Divine  Providence,  confiding  in  God's  Mercy, 
which  did  not  forsake  us. 

After  the  first  Day's  Journey  we  incamp'd  on  the  Bank 

of  the  River,  we  had  left  not  long  before,  lay  there  that 

Night,  and  the  next  Day,  cut  down  Trees  to  make  a  Sort  of 

Bridge  or  Planks  to  pass  over  it;  handing  over  our  Goods 

II 


1 62  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


May  1687 


Nahor- 
dikhes  and 
Affony. 


from  one  to  another,  and  swimming  over  our  Horses ;  which 
Work  we  were  frequently  obliged  to  repeat,  and  as  often  as 
we  had  afterwards  Occasion  to  pass  Rivers  on  our  Way, 
which  we  held  on  till  the  29th,  every  Day  meeting  with 
some  Cottage,  and  at  last,  a  Hamlet  or  Village,  into  which 
we  went,  and  the  Indian  Inhabitants  told  us,  they  were  call'd 
Nahordikhe/  and  that  they  were  Allies  to  the  Cenis. 

We  bartered  with  them  for  some  Provisions,  and  their 
Chief  offer' d  to  go  with  us  as  far  as  the  Assonys,  who  were 
not  farther  off  than  about  three  Leagues,  which  he  accord- 
ingly did;  but  it  happening  to  rain  when  we  came  thither, 
and  the  Assonys  having  had  no  Notice  before  hand,  we 
found  but  indifferent  Reception. 

However,  we  were  conducted  to  the  Chief's  Cottage ;  the 
Elders  had  Notice  given  them,  they  resorted  thither,  and 
when  our  Horses  were  unloaded,  and  our  Goods  plac'd  in  a 
Corner  of  the  Cottage,  which  the  Chief  had  allotted  us,  we 
gave  them  to  understand,  that  our  Intention  was  to  go 
farther,  to  fetch  Commodities  to  trade  with  them,  at  which 
they  were  pleas'd.  They  gave  us  to  eat,  and  the  Elders 
stay'd  some  Part  of  the  Evening  with  us,  which  made  us 
somewhat  Uneasy,  and  oblig'd  us  to  be  upon  our  Guard; 
however  the  Night  pass'd  without  any  Disturbance. 

The  next  Morning  the  Elders  came  to  us  again.  They 
had  provided  Mats  without  the  Cottage,  and  made  Signs 
to  us  to  go  thither  and  sit  down  upon  them,  as  we  did, 
leaving  two  of  our  Company  to  guard  the  Baggage.  We 
repeated  to  them  what  we  had  said  the  Night  before,  and 
made  them  some  Presents  of  Axes,  Knives,  Strings  of  Beads 
and  Rings.  They  signify'd  they  were  sorry  we  would  go 
away,  and  endeavour' d  the  best  they  could,  to  make  us 
sensible  of  the  same  Obstacles  the  others  had  signify'd  to 
us ;  but  it  was  all  in  Vain ;  however,  we  stay'd  till  the  first 
of  June,  all  the  while  bartering  and  gathering  the  best  stock 
of  Provisions  we  could. 


"^Fr.  Nahoudikhe. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  163 

The  Second,  we  removed  from  that  Cottage,  where  we  June  1687 
had  some  Jealousy,  and  went  to  another,  a  Quarter  of  a 
League  from  it,  where  the  Chief  of  it  gave  us  a  very  good  Good  En- 
Reception.     An  old  Woman,  who  was  either  his  Mother,  ^^^^a*«w^n/. 
or  Governess  of  the  Cottage,  took  particular  Care  of  us: 
We  were  first  serv'd  at  eating,  and  to  keep  her  in  that  good 
Mind,  we  now  and  then  made  her  some  little  Presents, 
whilst  she,  by  her  Care  and  Kindness,  spar'd   our  Pro- 
visions, which  were  necessary  for  our  Journey. 

A  continual  Rain  oblig'd  us  to  stay  there  till  the  13th. 
During  our  Stay,  the  Natives  made  several  Feasts,  to  which 
we  were  always  invited ;  and  at  length  the  Rain  ceasing,  we 
resolv'd  to  set  out,  notwithstanding  all  Monsieur  Cavelier 
the  Priest's  Apprehensions,  which  we  surmounted,  and  di- 
rected our  Course  towards  the  A^.  E.  with  two  Indians,  who 
were  to  conduct  us  only  a  small  Way,  and  who  accordingly 
soon  left  us,  whatsoever  Promises  we  could  make  them. 
They  departed  to  return  Home,  promising  they  would  come 
to  us  again.  We  encamp'd  that  Night  on  the  Bank  of  a 
Rivulet. 

The  14th  and  15th,  we  held  on  our  Way,  frequently,  ^a^/  Ways. 
meeting  with  Sloughs,  which  very  much  fatigued  us,  be- 
cause we  were  oblig'd  to  unload  our  Horses  for  them  to 
pass,  and  prevent  their  sticking  in  the  Mire  and  fat  Soil, 
whence  we  could  not  have  drawn  them  out,  and  conse- 
quently we  were  fain  to  carry  all  our  Luggage  on  our 
own  Backs. 

Whilst  we  halted  about  Noon,  that  our  Horses  might 
graze,  as  was  usually  done  by  us,  we  discovered  our  two 
Assony  Indians  returning  towards  us,  at  which  we  were 
much  rejoiced,  because  they  had  a  better  Notion  than  our- 
selves of  the  Way  we  were  to  go.  We  made  them  eat  and 
smoke,  and  then  set  out  again. 

The  1 6th,  we  came  to  a  great  River,  which  we  passed  as 
we  had  done  the  first,  and  after  that,  met  with  very  bad 
Ways. 

The  17th,  one  of  our  Company  being  indisposed,  we  could 


,164         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

June  1687  not  set  out  till  Noon,  and  held  on  till  the  21st,  crossing 
several  Sloughs  and  Rivers,  and  then  one  of  our  Indians 
being  out  of  Order,  it  oblig'd  us  to  stay  on  the  Bank  of  a 
River  we  had  pass'd.  The  other  Indian  seeing  his  comrade 
sick,  went  a  Hunting,  and  brought  a  wild  Goat;  for  there 

Art  to  Kill  are  many  in  that  Country.     The  Indians  have  the  Art  of 

Wild  Fowl.  <^i'cssing  the  Heads  of  those  Creatures,  which  they  put  upon 
their  own,  and  imitate  them  so  exactly,  that  they  can  come 
very  near  to  them,  and  then  seldom  fail  of  killing.  The 
same  Method  they  use  for  Turkeys  and  other  wild  Fowl, 
and  so  draw  them  close  to  themselves. 

j^w^  The  22d,  our  Indian  being  somewhat  recovered  we  de- 

camp'd  and  proceeded  along  a  better  Way  and  Pleasanter 
Country,  than  that  we  had  left  behind,  and  as  we  enquir'd 
the  best  we  could  of  those  our  Indians,  concerning  the 
Neighbouring  Nations  and  those  we  were  going  towards, 
among  others  they  nam'd  to  us,  that  they  call'd  Cappa. 
M.  Cavelier  told  us,  he  remembered  he  had  heard  his  late 
Brother  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  name  that  Nation,  and  say  he 
had  seen  it  as  he  went  from  Canada  towards  the  Missisipi. 
This  put  us  in  Hopes,  that  we  should  succeed  in  our  Dis- 
covery. 

The  23d,  being  near  a  Village,  we  had  been  in  Search 
of,  one  of  our  Indians  went  before,  to  give  Notice  of  our 
Arrival.  In  the  mean  Time  we  cross'd  most  lovely  Plains 
and  Meadows,  bordered  with  fine  Groves  of  beautiful  Trees, 
where  the  Grass  was  so  high,  that  it  hindered  our  Horses 
going,  and  were  oblig'd  to  clear  the  Passage  for  them. 

When  we  were  within  Half  a  League  of  the  Village, 
we  saw  an  Indian,  mounted  on  a  large  grey  Mare,  coming 
along  with  our  Native,  to  meet  us,  and  were  told,  that  Horse- 
man was  the  Chief  of  the  Village,  attended  by  some  others 
of  the  same  Place.  As  soon  as  that  Chief  came  up  to  us,  he 
expressed  very  much  Kindness  and  Affection ;  we  gave  him 
to  understand,  that  we  did  no  Body  any  Harm,  unless  we 
were  first  attacked.  Then  we  made  him  smoke,  and  when 
that  was  done,  he  made  Signs  to  us  to  follow  him,  which 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  165 

we  did,  till  we  came  to  the  Bank  of  a  River,  where  he  again  June  1687 
desir'd  us  to  stay,  whilst  he  went  to  give  Notice  to  the 
Elders. 

Soon  after,  a  Number  of  them  came,  and  having  join'd  ¥•  ^^X^". 
us,  signifvM,  that  they  were  come  to  carry  us  to  their  Vil-  rest  carry' d 
lage.    Our  Indians  made  Signs,  that  it  was  the  Custom  of  ^»*  ^^^ 
the  Country,  and  we  must  submit,  and  let  them  do  as  they  Indians. 
thought  fit.     Tho'  we  were  much  out  of  Countenance  at 
that  Ceremony,  seven  of  the  prime  Men  among  them  would 
have  us  mount  on  their  Backs  or  Shoulders.     Monsieur 
Cavelier  being  our  Chief,  mounted  first,  and  then  the  rest 
did  the  same. 

As  for  my  own  Part,  being  of  a  pretty  large  Size  and 
loaded  with  Cloaths,  a  Firelock,  a  Case  of  Pistols,  Powder 
and  Ball,  a  Kettle  and  other  Implements,  there  is  no  Doubt 
but  I  made  a  sufficient  Burden  for  him  that  carry'd  me,  and 
because  I  was  taller  than  he  and  my  Feet  would  have  hung 
upon  the  Ground,  two  other  Indians  held  them  up  for  me ; 
so  that  I  had  three  to  carry  me.  Other  Indians  took  hold 
of  our  Horses  to  lead  them,  and  in  that  ridiculous  Equipage 
we  arriv'd  at  the  Village.  Our  Carriers,  who  had  gone  a 
long  Quarter  of  a  League,  had  need  enough  to  rest,  and  we 
to  be  set  down,  that  we  might  laugh  in  private,  for  it 
behov'd  us  to  take  Care  not  to  do  it  before  them. 

As  soon  as  we  were  come  to  the  Chief's  Cottage,  where  Ceremonies 
we  found  above  two  hundred  Persons,  who  were  come  ^^  Reception, 
see  us,  and  that  our  Horses  were  unloaded,  the  Elders  gave  < 

us  to  understand,  that  it  was  their  Custom  to  wash  Strangers 
at  their  first  Coming;  but  that  we  being  clad,  they  would 
only  wash  our  Faces;  which  one  of  those  elders  did,  with 
fair  Water  they  had  in  a  Sort  of  Earthen  Vessel,  and  he 
only  wash'd  our  Forehead. 

After  this  second  Ceremony,  the  Chief  made  Signs  to  speeches 
us,  to  sit  dovm  on  a  Sort  of  little  Scaffold,  rais'd  about  4  »««^^  *<> 
Foot  above  the  Ground,  and  made  of  Wood  and  Canes, 
where  when  we  were  plac'd,  the  Chiefs  of  the  Villages  being 
four  in  Number,  came  and  made  Speeches  to  us,  one  after 


i66         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

June  1687  another.  We  listened  to  them  with  Patience,  tho*  we  un- 
derstood  not  one  Word  of  what  they  said  to  us ;  being  tir'd 
with  the  Length  of  their  Harangues,  and  much  more  with 
the  violent  Heat  of  the  Sun,  which  was  just  over  our  Heads. 
When  the  Speeches  were  ended,  the  Purport  whereof, 
as  near  as  we  could  guess,  was  only  to  assure  us,  that  we 
were  very  welcome;  we  gave  them  to  understand,  that  we 
were  going  into  our  own  Country,  designing  to  return 
speedily,  to  bring  them  several  Sorts  of  Commodities  and 
such  Things  as  they  should  stand  in  need  of. 

Next,  we  made  them  the  usual  Presents  of  Axes,  Knives, 

Strings  of  Beads,  Needles  and  Pins,  for  their  Wives,  telling 

them,  that  when  we  return'd  we  would  give  them  more. 

Their  En-         We  farther  signify 'd  to  them,  that  if  they  would  afford 

tertamment.  ^^  some  Corn  or  Meal,  we  would  give  them  other  Things  in 

Exchange,  which  they  agreed  to.    After  this  they  made  us 

eat  Sagarnite,  or  Hasty-pudding,  Bread,  Beans,  Pompions 

and  other  Things,  which  we  had  sufficient  Need  of.    Most 

of  us  having  scarce  eaten  any  Thing  all  that  Day,  some  for 

Want,  and  others  out  of  Devotion,  as  Monsr.  Cavalier,  who 

^  would  observe  the  Fast  of  St.  John  Baptist's  Eve,  whose 

Name  he  bore.    It  is  to  be  observ'd,  that  the  Pompions  are 

incomparably  better  there,  than  with  us. 

The  24th,  the  Elders  met  again  in  our  Cottage.  We 
gave  them  to  understand,  they  would  oblige  us,^  in  fur- 
nishing Guides  to  conduct  us  to  the  Village  of  Cappa,  which 
was  in  our  Way;  but  instead  of  granting  it,  they  earnestly 
intreated  us,  to  stay  with  them  and  go  to  the  Wars  against 
their  Enemies,  having  been  told  Wonders  of  our  Firelocks, 
which  we  promised  to  do  when  we  returned,  and  that  it 
should  be  shortly,  and  they  seem'd  to  rest  satisfy'd. 

Thus  our  Hopes  increas'd,  but  the  Joy  it  occasioned  was 

Mr.  de         allay'd  by  a  dismal  Accident  that  befell  us.     Monsieur  de 

Marie  Marie,  one  of  the  prime  Men  of  our  Company,  having 

Breakfasted,  would  needs  go  Bath  himself  in  the  River  we 

1  In  Fr.  original,  this  sentence  is  in  a  marginal  note.    C.  C.  ed. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  167 

had  pass'd  the  Day  before,  and  not  knowing  how  to  swim,  June  1687 
he  went  too  far  and  step'd  into  a  Hole,  whence  he  could  not 
recover  himself,  but  was  unfortunately  drowned.  Young 
Monsieur  Cavelier,  having  been  told  that  Monsieur  de 
Marie  was  going  to  Bath  himself,  ran  after  him,  and  com- 
ing to  the  River,  saw  he  was  drowning,  he  ran  back  to 
acquaint  us :  We  hasted  thither  with  a  Number  of  Indians, 
who  were  there  before  us;  but  all  too  late,  some  of  them 
div'd,  and  brought  him  up  dead  from  the  Bottom  of  the 
Water. 

We  carry'd  him  to  the  Cottage,  shedding  many  Tears,  His 
the  Indians  bore  Part  in  our  Sorrow,  and  we  paid  him  the  P**^^^^^- 
last  Duties,  offering  up  the  usual  Prayers;  after  which  he 
was  buryed  in  a  small  Field,  behind  the  Cottage;  and 
whereas,  during  that  doleful  Ceremony,  we  pray'd,  reading 
in  our  Books,  particularly  Monsieur  Cavelier,  the  Priest  and 
Father  Anastasius,  the  Indians  gaz'd  on  us  with  Amaze- 
ment, because  we  talkM,  looking  upon  the  Leaves,  and  we 
endeavoured  to  give  them  to  understand,  that  we  pray'd  to 
God  for  the  dead  Man,  pointing  up  to  Heaven. 

We  must  do  this  Right  to  those  good  People,  as  to  de-  ^J^^Tln- 
clare,  that  they  express'd  singular  Humanity  upon  that  dole-  dians. 
ful  Accident,  as  appeared  by  the  sensible  Testimony  of  their 
Actions,  and  all  the  Methods  they  us'd  to  let  us  under- 
stand how  great  a  Share  they  bore  in  our  Sorrow;  which 
we  should  not  have  found  in  several  Parts  of  Europe. 

During  our  short  Stay  in  that  Place,  we  observed  a  Cere-  Indian 
mony  that  was  performed  by  the  Chiefs  Wife,  vi:s.  ^^^^  to7he^Dead. 
every  Morning  she  went  to  Monsieur  de  Marie's  Grave, 
and  carry'd  a  little  Basket  of  parch'd  Ears  of  Corn  to  lay 
on  it,  the  meaning  whereof  we  could  not  understand.     Be- 
fore our  Departure,  we  were  informed,  that  the  Villages  be- 
longing to  our  Hosts,  being  four  in  Number,  all  ally'd  to- 
gether   were    caird,    Assony,    Natsohsos,    Nachitos    and  jj«^»«« 
Cadodaquio. 

On  the  27th,  having  been  informed  by  the  Natives,  that 
we  should  find  Canoes,  to  pass  a  River  that  was  on  our 


i68 


Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


June  1687 


Janiquo 
Nation. 


Doleful 
Entertain- 
ment 


Way,  Father  Anastasius  and  I  went  to  see  whether,  what 
they  told  us  was  true.  We  found  that  River  was  a  Branch 
of  the  same  we  had  already  pass'd,  the  Channel  of  it  being 
pleasant  and  navigable,  and  saw  some  Canoes,  in  one  of 
which  the  Indians  carry'd  us  over  to  the  other  Side,  whether 
we  went  to  see  what  convenient  Place  there  was  for  our 
Horses  to  come  ashore.  We  found  a  very  proper  Place,  and 
returning,  made  our  Report  to  Monsieur  Cavelier,  who 
being  then  much  out  of  Order  with  Pains  in  his  Feet,  we 
were  oblig'd  to  stay  there,  till  the  30th. 

During  that  Time,  we  were  frequently  visited  by  the 
Indians,  both  Old  and  Young,  and  of  both  Sexes,  and 
even  the  Chiefs  of  the  Nation,  call'd  Janiquo,  came  to  see 
us,  and  with  them  we  often  convers'd  in  dumb  Show,  and 
every  Evening  the  Women,  attended  by  the  Warriors,  with 
their  Bows  and  Arrows,  resorted  to  our  Cottage,  to  sing 
a  doleful  Sort  of  Song,  shedding  Tears  at  the  same  Time. 
This  would  have  given  us  some  Uneasiness,  had  we  not  be- 
fore seen  the  same  Ceremony,  and  been  inform'd,  that  those 
Women  repair  in  that  Manner  to  the  Chief's  Cottage,  to 
intreat  him,  singing  and  weeping,  to  take  Revenge  on  those, 
who  have  kill'd  their  Husbands,  or  Relations,  in  former 
Wars,  as  I  have  observ'd  before.  In  all  other  Respects,  the 
Manners  and  Customs  of  this  Nation,  being  much  the  same 
as  those  of  the  Cenis,  I  shall  add  no  more  concerning  them. 

The  29th,  at  Night,  we  gave  Notice  to  the  Chief,  that  we 
would  set  out  the  next  Day,  we  made  him  some  Presents  in 
particular,  and  the  like  to  his  Wife,  because  she  had  taken 
special  Care  of  us,  and  departed  on  the  30th.  The  Chief, 
attended  by  many  other  Indians,  whom  we  found  in  the 
Cottages  on  our  Way,  went  to  Conduct  us  as  far  as  the 
River,  which  we  cross' d  in  Canoes,  and  swam  over  our 
Horses.  There  we  took  Leave  of  our  Conductors,  to  whom 
we  gave  some  Strings  of  Beads  for  their  Wives,  and  their 
Chief  would  needs  Conduct  us  to  the  next  Village. 

By  the  Way  we  came  to  a  Cottage,  where  our  Guide 
made  us  halt,  and  there  they  gave  us  to  eat.    Then  we  held 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  169 

on  our  Journey  to  a  Village  call'd  Cadodaquio,  and  wtvtJune  1687 
conducted  to  the  Chief's  Cottage,  who  received  us  cour-  Cadodaquio 
tiously,  being  a  Friend  to  him  that  went  with  us.    It  was  re-  Village. 
quisite  to  unload  our  Horses  to  lie  there,  and  we  signified 
to  the  Chief,  that  we  stood  in  Need  of  Provisions.     He 
spoke  to  the  Women,  who  brought  us  some  Meal,  which  we 
purchased  with  Strings  of  Beads,  and  the  Chief,  who  con- 
ducted us  thither,  took  his  Leave. 

Having  no  Design  to  stay  there  any  Time,  we  had  de- 
sired the  Chief  to  appoint  some  Person  to  guide  us  to  the 
Village  call'd  Cahainihoua,  which  was  in  our  Way.  It 
happen'd  by  good  Fortune,  that  there  were  then  in  that 
Place  some  Men  and  Women  of  the  said  Village,  who 
were  come  to  fetch  some  Wood,  fit  to  make  Bows,  there 
being  Plenty  of  that  Sort  of  Trees  they  make  them  of, 
about  the  Village  we  were  in.  We  signify'd  our  Design  to 
them  and  they  gave  us  to  understand  they  would  be  glad 
to  bear  us  Company.  In  the  Conversation  we  had  with 
them,  they  made  us  comprehend,  that  they  had  seen  People 
like  us,  who  had  Firelocks  and  a  House,  and  that  they  were 
acquainted  with  the  Cappa's,  which  was  very  pleasing  to  us. 
Because  they  were  not  to  depart  till  two  Days  after,  we 
resolv'd  to  stay  for  them. 

We  observ'd,  that  there  was  a  Difference  between  the  Peculiar 
Language  of  those  People  and  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Village  C^^^^^- 
we  were  in,  from  that  of  the  Cenis,  and  that  they  had  some 
peculiar  Ceremonies,  one  whereof  is,  that  when  the  Women 
have  their  Terms,  they  leave  the  Company  of  their  Hus- 
bands and  withdraw  into  other  Cottages  appointed  for  that 
Purpose,  which  no  Person  is  to  come  near,  upon  Pain  of 
being  reputed  unclean. 

Those  Women  have  their  Faces  still  more  disfigur'd,  than  Ornaments 
the   others   we  had   seen   before ;    for  they  make  several  ^^  ^^^^n. 
Streaks,  or  Scores  on  them,  whereas  the  others  had  but  one. 
They  adorn  themselves  with  little  Locks  of  fine  red  Hair; 
which  they  make  fast  to  their  Ears   in   the   Nature  of 
Pendants.    In  other  Respects  they  are  not  disagreeable,  and 


170  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

July  1687      neither  Women  nor  Maids  are  so  ill-natur'd  as  to  make  their 
'  Lovers  pine  for  them.    They  are  not  difficult  of  Access,  and 
they  soon  make  a  Return  for  a  small  Present. 
The  Men.         The  Men  wear  their  Hair  short,  like  our  Capucins,  they 
anoint  it  with  a  sort  of  Oyl,  or  Grease,  and  curl  it  like  snails, 
after  which  they  strew  on  it  a  Sort  of  Down,  or  Lint,  died 
red,  as  we  do  Powder,  which  is  done  when  they  design  to 
be  very  fine,  in  order  to  appear  in  their  Assemblies.    They 
are  very  fond  of  their  Children,  and  all  the  Way  of  chastis- 
ing them  they  use,  is  to  throw  Water  at  them,  without  ever 
^         beating  or  giving  them  ill  Words. 

The  Indians  that  were  of  the  Village  of  Cohainihouc^ 
and  to  conduct  us  thither,  not  being  ready  to  set  out  on 
Wednesday  the  2d  of  July,  as  they  had  promised,  a  young 
Indian  offered  himself,  saying,  he  would  conduct  us  safe 
thither,  and  we  set  out  with  him,  still  directing  our  Course 
towards  the  A^.  E.  We  kept  close  along  the  same  River 
we  had  cross' d,  and  found  it  very  pleasant  and  navigable, 
the  Banks  of  it  cover'd  with  fine  Trees  of  several  Sorts. 

We  had  not  travell'd  above  a  League,  before  our  Guide 
gave  us  to  understand,  that  he  had  forgot  a  Piece  of  hard 
dry'd  Skin  he  had  to  make  him  Shoes,  which  he  would  go 
fetch  and  return  to  us,  pointing  to  us  with  his  Hand,  which 
Way  we  were  to  go,  and  telling  us  we  should  soon  come  to 
a  River. 

This  sudden  Change  in  the  Indian  was  somewhat  sur- 
prizing and  very  much  perplex'd  us;  however  we  held  on 
our  Way,  and  soon  came  to  the  River  he  had  mention' d  to 
us,  which  was  very  pleasant  and  deep.  We  cross'd  it  the 
next  Day,  on  a  Sort  of  Float,  which  we  made  with  much 
Toil  and  Labour,  and  our  Horses  swam  over.  Some  Time 
after  we  were  passed,  we  saw  the  Indians  coming,  who  had 
promised  to  bear  us  Company,  and  were  glad  to  find  our 
Float,  to  cross  the  same  River,  as  they  did,  and  proceeded 
on  our  Journey  all  together. 

1  Fr,  Cahainihoiia.     [Cf.  pp.  90  and  44,  and  the  notes.     A  marginal 
note  in  the  Fr.  calls  this  tribe  Cahaynaho.1     C.  C.  edit. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  171 

The  4th,  5th  and  6th,  we  did  the  same,  crossing  a  very  July  1687 
fine  Country,  but  watered  by  many  Brooks,  Streams  and 
Rivers.    We  found  Abundance  of  wild  Goats,  Turkeys  and  Plenty  of 
other  wild  Fowl,  whereof  our  Indians  kill'd  many. 

On  the  6th,  whilst  we  halted  on  the  Bank  of  a  River  to 
eat,  we  heard  the  Tingling  of  some  small  Bells;  which 
making  us  look  about,  we  spy'd  an  Indian  with  a  naked 
Sword-Blade  in  his  Hand,  adorned  with  Feathers  of  sev- 
eral Colours,  and  two  large  Hawks  Bells,  that  occasioned 
the  Noise  we  had  heard. 

He  made  Signs  for  us  to  come  to  him,  and  gave  us  to 
understand,  that  he  was  sent  by  the  Elders  of  the  Village, 
whither  we  were  going,  to  meet  us,  carressing  us  after  an 
extraordinary  Manner.  I  observed  that  it  was  a  Spanish 
Blade  he  had,  and  that  he  took  Pleasure  in  ringing  the 
Hawks  Bells. 

Having  travell'd  about  half  a  League  with  him,  we  dis-  Kind  Re- 
cow  tv^d  a  Dozen  of  other  Indians  coming  towards  us,  who  ^^^  *^'*' 
made  very  much  of  and  conducted  us  the  Village,  to  the 
Chief's  Cottage,  where  we  found  dry'd  Bear-Skins  laid  on 
the  Ground,  and  they  made  us  sit  on  them,  where  we  were 
treated  with  Eatables,  as  were  the  Elders  after  us,  and  a 
Throng  of  Women  came  to  see  us. 

The  7th,  the  Elders  came  to  give  us  a  Visit,  bringing  us  Presents. 
two  Bullocks  Hides,  four  Otters  Skins,  one  white  Wild- 
Goat's  Skin,  all  of  them  well  dry'd,  and  4  Bows,  in  Return 
for  the  Present  we  had  before  made  them.  The  Chief  and 
another  came  again  some  Time  after,  bringing  two  Loaves, 
the  finest  and  the  best  we  had  yet  seen.  They  look'd  as  if 
they  had  been  bak'd  in  an  Oven,  and  yet  we  had  not  ob- 
served, that  there  were  Ovens  among  any  of  them.  That 
Chief  stay'd  with  us  some  Hours,  he  seem'd  to  be  very 
ingenious  and  discreet,  and  easily  understood  our  Signs, 
which  were  most  of  the  Language  we  had.    Having  ordered 

a  little  Boy  to  bring  us  all  we  had  Occasion  for,  he  with-    ^     ^ 
J  "^  The  Cere- 

drew.  ^ony  of 

Towards  the  Evening,  we  were  entertained  with  a  Cere-  the  Pipe. 


172  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

July  1687  mony  we  had  not  seen  before.  A  Company  of  Elders, 
attended  by  some  young  Men  and  Women  came  to  our  Cot- 
tage in  a  Body,  singing  as  loud  as  they  could  roar.  The 
foremost  of  them  had  a  Calumet,  so  they  call  a  very  long 
Sort  of  Tabacco  Pipe,  adom'd  with  several  Sorts  of 
Feathers.  When  they  had  sung  a  while,  before  our  Cot- 
tage, they  entered  it,  still  singing  on,  for  about  a  Quarter 
of  an  Hour.  After  that,  they  took  Monsieur  Cavelier  the 
Priest,  as  being  our  Chief,  led  him  in  solemn  Manner  out 
of  the  Cottage,  supporting  him  under  the  Arms.  When 
they  were  come  to  a  Place  they  had  prepared,  one  of  them 
laid  a  great  Handful  of  Grass  under  his  feet,  two  others 
brought  fair  Water  in  an  Earthen  Dish,  with  which  they 
washed  his  Face,  and  then  made  him  sit  down  on  a  Skin, 
provided  for  that  Purpose. 

When  Monsieur  Cavelier  was  seated,  the  Elders  took 
their  Places,  sitting  round  about  him,  and  the  Master  of 
the  Ceremonies  fix'd  in  the  Ground  two  little  wooden 
Forks,  and  having  laid  a  Stick  across  them,  all  being 
painted  red,  he  placed  on  them  a  Bullock's  Hide,  dryed,  a 
Goat's  Skin  over  that,  and  then  laid  the  Pipe  thereon. 

The  Song  was  begun  again,  the  Women  mixing  in  the 
Chorus,  and  the  Concert  was  heightned  by  great  hollow 
Calabashes  or  Gourds,  in  which  there  were  large  Gravel 
Stones,  to  make  a  Noise,  the  Indians  striking  on  them  by 
Measure,  to  answer  the  Tone  of  the  Choir ;  and  the  pleas- 
antest  of  all  was,  that  one  of  the  Indians  plac'd  himself  be- 
hind Monsieur  Cavelier  to  hold  him  up,  whilst  at  the  same 
Time  he  shook  and  dandled  him  from  Side  to  Side,  the 
Motion  answering  to  the  Musick. 

That  Concert  was  scarce  ended,  when  the  Master  of  the 
Ceremonies  brought  two  Maids,  the  one  having  in  her 
Hand  a  Sort  of  Collar,  and  the  other  an  Otter's  Skin, 
which  they  plac'd  on  the  wooden  Forks  abovemention'd,  at 
the  Ends  of  the  Pipe.  Then  he  made  them  sit  down,  on 
each  Side  of  Monsieur  Cavelier,  in  such  a  Posture,  that 
they  look'd  one  upon  the  other,  their  Legs  extended  and 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  173 

intermixed,  on  which  the  same  Master  of  the  Ceremonies  July  1687 
laid  Monsieur  Cavelie/s  Legs,  in  such  Manner,  that  they 
lay  uppermost  and  across  those  of  the  two  Maids. 

Whilst  this  Action  was  performing",  one  of  the  Elders 
made  fast  a  dy'd  Feather  to  the  back  Part  of  Monsieur 
Cavelier's  Head,  tying  it  to  his  Hair.  The  Singing  still 
continu'd  all  that  Time,  so  that  Monsieur  Cavelier  grown 
weary  of  its  Tediousness,  and  asham'd  to  see  himself  in 
that  Posture  between  two  Maids,  without  knowing  to  what 
Purpose,  made  Signs  to  us  to  signify  the  same  to  the  Chief, 
and  having  given  him  to  understand,  that  he  was  not  well, 
two  of  the  Indians  immediately  took  hold  of  him  under  the 
Arms,  conducted  him  back  to  the  Cottage  and  made  Signs 
to  him  to  take  his  Rest.  This  was  about  Nine  in  the  Even- 
ing, and  the  Indians  spent  all  the  Night  in  Singing,  inso- 
much that  some  of  them  could  hold  out  no  longer. 

In  the  Morning  they  return' d  to  Monsieur  Cavelier,  con- 
ducted him  again  out  of  the  Cottage,  with  the  same  Cere- 
mony and  made  him  sit  down,  still  singing  on.  Then  the 
Master  of  the  Ceremonies  took  the  Pipe,  which  he  fill'd 
with  Tabacco,  lighted  and  offered  it  to  Monsieur  Cavelier, 
but  drawing  back  and  advancing  six  Times  before  he  gave 
it  him.  Having  at  last  put  it  into  his  Hands,  Monsieur 
Cavelier  made  as  if  he  had  smok'd  and  returned  it  to  them. 
Then  they  made  us  all  smoke  round,  and  every  one  of  them 
whiff'd  in  his  Turn,  the  Musick  still  continuing. 

About  Nine  in  the  Morning,  the  Sun  growing  very  hot, 
and  Monsieur  Cavelier  being  bare  Headed,  made  Signs 
that  it  did  him  Harm.  Then  at  last  they  gave  over  sing- 
ing, and  conducted  him  back  into  the  Cottage,  took  the 
Pipe,  put  it  into  a  Case,  made  of  a  Wild-Goat's  Skin,  with 
the  two  wooden  Forks  and  the  red  Stick  that  lay  across 
them,  all  which  one  of  the  Elders  offer'd  to  Monsieur  Carue- 
lier,  assuring  him  that  he  might  pass  thro'  all  the  Nations 
that  were  ally'd  to  them  by  Virtue  of  that  Token  of  Peace, 
and  should  be  every  where  well  received.  This  was  the  houa^jy^ 
first  Place  where  we  saw  the  Cahimet,  or  Pipe  of  Peace,  Hon. 


174         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


July  1687 


Indians 

expect 

Presents. 


The  Jour- 
ney prose- 
cuted. 


having  no  Knowledge  of  it  before,  as  some  have  writ.  This 
Nation  is  called  Cahaynohotut<. 

This  Sort  of  Ceremonies  being  never  performed  among 
the  Indians  without  the  Expectation  of  receiving  some 
Present,  and  we  having  besides  observed,  that  some  of 
them  had  withdrawn  themselves,  with  Tokens  of  Dissatis- 
faction, perhaps  because  we  had  interrupted  their  Cere- 
mony, we  thought  it  convenient  to  give  them  something 
more,  and  I  was  appointed  to  carry  them  an  Ax,  four 
Knives  and  some  Strings  of  Beads,  with  which  they  were 
satisfied. 

We   afterwards    shew'd    them    an    Experiment   of 


our 


Arms,  the  Noise  and  Fire  whereof  frighted  them.  They 
earnestly  press'd  us  to  stay  with  them,  offering  us  Wives 
and  whatsoever  else  we  should  want.  To  be  the  better  quit 
of  them,  we  promised  to  return,  saying  we  were  going  to 
fetch  Commodities,  Arms  and  Tools,  which  we  stood  in 
Need  of,  that  we  might  afterwards  stay  with  them. 

The  9th  and  loth  were  spent  in  Visits,  and  we  were  in- 
formed by  one  of  the  Indians  that  we  were  not  far  from  a 
great  River,  which  he  describ'd  with  a  Stick  on  the  Sand, 
and  shew'd  it  had  two  Branches,  at  the  same  Time  pro- 
nouncing the  word  Cappa,  which,  as  I  have  said,  is  a  Na- 
tion near  the  Missisipi.  We  then  made  no  longer  Ques- 
tion, that  we  were  near  what  we  had  been  so  long  looking 
after.  We  entreated  the  Elders  to  appoint  some  men  to 
conduct  us,  promising  to  reward  them  well,  which  they 
granted,  and  we  set  out  the  nth,  to  the  great  Sorrow  of 
those  good  People,  who  had  entertained  us  so  courteously. 

We  travelled  several  different  Ways,  which  we  could 
never  have  found,  had  we  wanted  Guides,  and  so  pro- 
ceeded till  on  the  12th,  one  of  our  Guides  pretended  to  be 
sick,  and  made  Signs  that  he  would  go  back;  but  observ- 
ing, that  we  seem'd  to  be  no  Way  concerned,  which  we  did 
on  Purpose,  he  consulted  with  his  Coriipanion,  and  then 
came  to  tell  us,  he  was  recover'd.    We  made  him  eat  and 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  173 

smoke,  and  continued  our  Journey  the  13th,  finding  the  July  1687 
Way  very  bad  and  difficult. 

The  14th,  our  Indians,  having  seen  the  Track  of  Bul- 
locks, signify'd  they  would  go  kill  some,  to  eat  the  Flesh, 
which  made  us  halt  for  two  or  three  Hours.  Whilst  we 
stay'd  for  our  Hunters,  we  prepared  some  Sagamite,  or 
their  Sort  of  Hasty-Pudding.  They  retum'd  loaded  with 
Flesh,  Part  whereof  we  dress'd,  and  eat  it  with  very  good 
Stomachs.  Then  we  proceeded  on  our  Journey  till  the 
1 8th,  and  by  the  Way  kilFd  three  Bullocks  and  two  Cows, 
which  obliged  us  to  halt,  that  we  might  use  of  our  Flesh, 
drying  it. 

The  Night  between  the  19th  and  the  20th,  one  of  our 
Horses  breaking  loose,  was  either  taken  away  by  the  Na- 
tives, or  lost  in  the  Woods.  That  did  not  obstruct  our 
Departure,  tho'  the  Loss  was  grievous  to  us,  and  we  held 
on  our  Way  till  the  24th,  when  we  met  a  Company  of  In- 
dians, with  Axes,  going  to  fetch  Barks  of  Trees,  to  cover  Indians 
their  Cottages.  They  were  surpriz'd  to  see  us,  but  having  ^*'^  ^^^•^• 
made  Signs  to  them  to  draw  near,  they  came,  caressed  and 
presented  us  with  some  Water  Melons  they  had.  They 
put  off  their  Design  of  going  to  fetch  Bark  till  another 
Time,  and  went  along  with  us,  and  one  of  our  Guides 
having  gone  before  in  the  Morning  to  give  Notice  of  our 
coming  at  the  next  Village,  met  with  other  Parcels  of  In- 
dians, who  were  coming  to  meet  us,  and  expressed  extraor- 
dinary Kindness. 

We  halted  in  one  of  their  Cottages,  which  they  call 
Desert,  because  they  are  in  the  Midst  of  their  Fields  and 
Gardens.  There  we  found  several  Women-  who  had 
brought  Bread,  Gourds,  Beans  and  Water  Melons,  a  Sort 
of  Fruit  proper  to  quench  Thirst,  the  Pulp  of  it  being  no 
better  than  Water. 

We  set  out  again  to  come  to  the  Village,  and  by  the 
Way,  met  with  very  pleasant  Woods,  in  which,  there  were 
Abundance  of  stately  Cedars.    Being  come  to  a  River,  that 


176         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

July  1687      was  between  us  and  the  Village,  and  looking  over  to  the 

A  Cross  by  further  Side,  we  discover'd  a  great  Cross,  and  at  a  small 

a  River  and  Distance  from  it,  a  House,  built  after  the  French  Fashion. 

huilt^House.      ^^  ^^  ^^^7  ^^  imagine  what  inward  Joy  we  conceiv'd  at 

the  Sight  of  that  Emblem  of  our  Salvation.     We  knelt 

down,  lifting  up  our  Hands  and  Eyes  to  Heaven,  to  return 

Thanks  to  the  Divine  Goodness,  for  having  conducted  us 

so  happily ;  for  we  made  no  Question  of  finding  French  on 

the  other  Side  of  the  River,  and  of  their  being  Catholicks, 

since  they  had  Crosses. 

In  short,  having  halted  some  Time  on  the  Bank  of  that 
River,  we  spyM  several  Canoes  making  towards  us,  and 
two  Men  cloath'd,  coming  out  of  the  House  we  had  dis- 
covered, who,  the  Moment  they  saw  us,  fir'd  each  of  them 
.  a  Shot  to  salute  us.  An  Indian  being  Chief  of  the  Village, 
who  was  with  them,  had  done  so  before,  and  we  were  not 
backward  in  returning  their  Salute,  by  discharging  all  our 
Pieces. 

When  we  had  pass'd  the  River,  and  were  all  come  to- 
DwelUng  gether,  we  soon  knew  each  other  to  be  French  Men.  Those 
of  French.  ^^  found  were  the  Sieurs  Couture  Charpantier  and  de 
Launay,  both  of  them  of  Roan,  whom  Monsieur  de  Tonty, 
Governor  of  Fort  St.  Leuis  among  the  Islinois,  had  left  at 
that  Post,  when  he  went  down  the  Missisipi  to  look  after 
Monsr.  de  la  Sale ;  and  the  Nation  we  were  then  with,  was 
caird  Accancea. 

It  is  hard  to  express  the  Joy  conceived  on  both  Sides; 

ours  was  unspeakable,  for  having  at  last  found,  what  we 

had  so  earnestly  desired,  and  that  the  Hopes  of  returning 

to  our  dear  Country,  was  in  some  Measure  assured  by  that 

The  Travel-  happy  Discovery.     The  others  were  pleased  to  see  such 

the  French    P^i*sons  as  might  bring  them  News  of  that  Commander, 

Habitation,    from  whom  they  expected  the  Performance  of  what  he  had 

promised  them;  but  the  Account  we  gave  them  of  Monsr. 

de  la  Sale's  unfortunate  Death,  was  so  afflicting,  that  it 

drew  Tears   from  them,   and  the  dismal   History  of  his 

Troubles  and  Disasters  rendered  them  almost  inconsolable. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  177 

We  were  conducted  to  the  House,  whither  all  our  Bag-  July  1687 
gage  was  honestly  carry'd  by  the  Indians.  There  was  a 
very  great  Throng  of  those  People,  both  Men  and  Women, 
which  being  over,  we  came  to  the  Relation  of  the  particu- 
lar Circumstances  of  our  Stories.  Ours  was  deliver'd  by 
Monsieur  Cavelier,  whom  we  honour'd  as  our  Chief,  for 
being  Brother  to  him,  who  had  been  so. 

We  were  inform'd  by  them,  that  they  had  been  Six,  sent  Who  the 
by  Monsr.  Tonty,  when  he  return'd  from  the  Voyage  he  ^7"/'*'"^'* 
had  made  down  the  Colbert  or  Missisipi  River,  pursuant  to 
the  Orders  sent  him  by  the  late  Monsr.  de  la  Sale,  at  his 
Departure  from  France,  and  that  the  said  Sieur  Tonty  had 
commanded  them  to  build  the  aforesaid  House.  That 
having  never  since  received  any  News  from  the  said  Monsr. 
de  la  Sale,  Four  of  them  were  gone  back  to  Monsr.  Tonty, 
at  the  Fort  of  the  Islinois, 

In  Conclusion,  it  was  agreed  among  us,  to  go  away  as 
soon  as  possible,  towards  the  Islinois,  and  conceal  from  the 
Indians,  the  Death  of  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  to  keep  them 
still  in  Awe  and  under  Submission,  whilst  we  went  away 
with  the  first  Ships  that  should  happen  to  sail  from  Canada 
for  France,  to  give  an  Account  at  Court  of  what  had  hap- 
pened, and  to  procure  Succours.  In  the  mean  Time,  the 
Chief  of  the  Indians  came  to  invite  us  to  eat.  We  found 
Mats  laid  on  the  Ground  for  us  to  sit  on,  and  all  the  Vil- 
lage met  to  see  us. 

We  gave  them  to  understand,  that  we  came  from  Mon- 
sieur de  la  Sale,  who  had  made  a  Settlement  on  the  Bay 
of  Mexico ;  that  we  had  pass'd  thro'  many  Nations,  which 
we  nam'd,  and  that  we  were  going  to  Canada  for  Com- 
modities, and  would  return  down  the  River;  that  we  would 
bring  Men  to  defend  them  against  their  Enemies  and  then  Kind  In- 
settle  among  them ;  that  the  Nations  we  had  pass'd  through    **"^' 
had  appointed  Men  to  guide  us,  and  we  desired  the  same 
Favour  of   them,   with  some  Canoes  and  Provisions,   and 
that  we  would  reward  our  Guides  and  pay  for  what  they 
furnish'd  us. 
12 


178         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


July  1687 


French 
House 
amons  the 
Acconcea'^ 
described. 


Product  of 
the  Coun- 
try, 


The  Conveniency  of  an  Interpreter,  we  then  had,  gave  us 
the  Opportunity  of  making  ourselves  be  easily  understood, 
and  the  Chief  answer' d  to  our  Proposals,  that  he  would 
send  Men  to  the  other  Villages  to  acquaint  them  with  our 
Demands,  and  to  consult  with  them  what  was  to  be  done 
in  that  Case;  that  as  for  the  rest,  they  were  amaz'd  at  our 
having  pass'd  thro'  so  many  Nations,  without  having  been 
detained,  or  kill'd,  considering  what  a  small  Number  we 
were. 

When  the  Discourse  was  ended,  that  Chief  caus'd  Meat 
to  be  set  before  us,  as  dry'd  Flesh,  Bread  made  of  Indian 
Corn  of  several  Sorts,  and  Water  Melons;  after  which  he 
made  us  smoke,  and  then  we  retum'd  to  our  House,  where 
being  eas'd  of  all  those  Impediments,  we  gave  each  other 
an  Account  of  our  Affairs,  at  Leisure,  and  were  inform'd, 
that  those  People  impatiently  expected^  the  Return  of 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  which  confirm'd  us  in  the  Resolution 
of  concealing  his  Death.  We  observ'd  the  Situation  of 
that  Post,  and  were  made  acquainted  with  the  Nature  of 
the  Country  and  the  Manners  of  those  People,  of  which  I 
shall  give  the  following  Remarks. 

The  House  we  were  then  in,  was  built  of  Pieces  of 
Cedar  laid  one  upon  another,  and  rounded  away  at  the 
Corners;  its  roof  is  of  bark.  It  is  seated  on  a  small  Emi- 
nency,  half  a  Musket-shot  from  the  Village,  in  a  Countr}' 
abounding  in  all  Things.  The  Plains  lying  on  one  Side  of 
it,  are  stor'd  with  Beeves,  wild  Goats,  Deer,  Turkeys,  Bus- 
tards, Swans,  Ducks,  Teal  and  other  Game. 

The  Trees  produce  plenty  of  Fruit,  and  very  good,  as 
Peaches,  Plumbs,  Mulberries,  Grapes,  and  Wallnuts.  They 
have  a  Sort  of  Fruit  they  call  Piaguimina,  not  unlike  our 
Medlars,  but  much  better  and  more  delicious.  Such  as 
live  near  the  Rivers,  as  that  House  is,  do  not  want  for  Fish 
of  all  Sorts,  and  they  have  Indian  Wheat,  whereof  they 
make  good  Bread.  There  are  also  fine  Plains  diversify'd 
with  several  Sorts  of  Trees,  as  I  have  said  before. 


1  Fr.  "  aspiroient  grandement "  —  ardently  longed  for. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  179 

The  Nation  of  the  Accancea's  consists  of  four  Villages.  July  1687 
The  first  is  call'd  Otsotchove,  near  which  we  were;  the  sec-  jva/wn  of 
ond  Toriman,  both  of  them  seated  on  the  River ;  the  third  the  Accan- 
Tonginga ;   and   the   fourth   Cappa,   on  the  Bank  of  the  ^^^  ^* 
Missisipi.    These  Villages  are  built  after  a  different  Man- 
ner from  the  others  we  had  seen  before,  in  this  Point,  that 
the  Cottages,  which  are  alike  as  to  their  Materials  and 
Rounding  at  the  Top,  are  long,  and  cover' d  with  the  Bark 
of  Trees,  and  so  very  large,  that  several  of  them  can  hold 
two  hundred  Persons,  belonging  to  several  Families. 

The  people  are  not  so  neat  as  the  Cenis,  or  the  Assonis  Houshold 
in  their  Houses,  for  some  of  them  lie  on  the  Ground,  with- 
out  any  Thing  under  them  but  some  Mats,  or  a  dress' d 
Hide.  However,  some  of  them  have  more  Conveniences, 
but  the  Generality  has  not.^  All  their  Moveables  consist 
in  some  Earthen  Vessels  and  oval  wooden  Platters,  which 
are  neatly  made,  and  with  which  they  drive  a  Trade. 

They  are  generally  very  well  shap'd  and  active ;  the  Shape. 
Women  are  handsome,  or  at  least  have  a  much  better 
Presence  than  those  of  the  other  Villages  we  pass'd  thro' 
before.  They  make  Canoes  all  of  one  Piece,  which  are 
well  wrought.  As  for  themselves  they  are  very  faithful, 
good  natur'd,  and  Warriors  like  the  rest. 

The  25th,  the  Elders  being  assembled,  came  to  see  us,  The  Cere- 
and  told  the  Sieur  Couture,  that  they  designed  to  sing  and  ^^p^  plr-  * 
dance  the  Calumet,  or  Pipe ;  because  the  others  had  sung  form'd  to 
it,  some  of  them  to  the  late  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  and  the  jj^'j. 
rest  to  Monsieur  Tonty,  and  therefore  it  was  but  reason- 
able they  should  do  the  same  to  get  a  Firelock,  as  well  as 
the  others.     Monsieur  Cavelier  was  informM  of  it,  and  it 
was  requisite  to  consent  to  it,  to  please  those  Indians,  be- 
cause we  stood  in  need  of  them. 

The  Ceremony  began  with  Monsieur  Cavelier,  who  was  Ceremony 
led  under  the  Arms  and  seated  on  a  Hide,  without  the  ^'  *  ^  ^*^^' 
Cottage.    The  Forks,  the  Skins  laid  on  it  in  Honour  of  the 

1  Fr.  "  Quelques  une  cependant  sont  plus  proprement ;  mais  generale- 
ment,  non" — Some  nevertheless  are  more  cleanly,  but  generally  they 
are  not 


i8o         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

July  1687  Pipe,  the  Singing  as  loud  as  they  cou'd  roar,  both  by  Men 
and  Women,  and  all  the  other  Ceremonies  were  observ'd, 
as  I  have  mention'd  them  before;  so  that  Monsieur  Cave- 
lier  being  weary  of  them,  he  caus'd  the  Chief  to  be  told, 
that  he  was  out  of  Order,  and  desir'd  his  Nephew  might  be 
put  in  his  Place,  which  was  done  accordingly,  and  they 
spent  the  whole  Night  in  Singing.  In  the  Morning  they 
performed  some  other  Ceremonies,  not  worth  relating. 

The  Solemnity  being  ended,  by  every  Man's  smoking  of 
the  Pipe,  the  Indians  took  it,  with  some  Bullocks  Hides, 
and  Goats  and  Otters  Skins,  and  a  Collar  made  of  Shells, 
all  which  they  carry' d  to  our  House,  and  we  gave  them  a 
Firelock,  two  Axes,  six  Knives,  one  hundred  Charges  of 
Powder,  as  much  Ball,  and  some  Strings  of  Beads  for  their 
Wives.  The  Chief  having  given  Notice  of  our  coming  to 
the  other  Villages,  their  Deputies  came  to  see  us;  we  en- 
tertain'd  them  in  the  House,  and  propos'd  to  them  our 
Designs,  as  had  been  done  to  the  Chief.  They  stood  con- 
sidering a  While,  then  held  a  Sort  of  Consultation  among 
themselves,  which  held  not  long  without  talking,  and  then 
agreed  to  grant  us  what  we  ask'd,  which  was  a  Canoe  and 
a  Man  of  each  Village  to  conduct  us,  upon  the  promised 
Consideration,  and  so  they  went  away  to  the  Cottage  of 
the  Chief  of  the  Village. 

The  27th,  the  Chief  and  the  Elders  met  again  to  con- 
sult about  what  we  demanded  of  them;  the  Length  of  the 
Journey  made  them  apprehensive  for  those,  who  were  to 
conduct  us ;  but,  at  Length,  we  having  dispell'd  their  Fears 
by  our  Arguments,  and  they  having  again  deliberated  some 
Time,  agreed  to  our  Request.  We  again  made  them  a 
Present,  promising  a  good  Reward  to  our  Guides,  and  so 
we  prepar'd  to  set  forwards.  Little  Bartholomew  the 
Parisian,  having  intimated  to  us,  that  he  would  willingly 
stay  in  that  House,  because  he  was  none  of  the  ablest  of 
Body,  we  recommended  him  to  the  Sieur  Couture.  We 
desir'd  those  that  remained  there,  to  keep  the  Secret  of 
Monsr.  de  la  Sale's  Death,  promised  to  send  them  Relief, 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  i8i 

left  them  our  Horses,  which  were  of  great  Use  to  go  a  July  1687 

^Hunting,    and   gave  them   fifteen   or  sixteen   Pounds   of 

Powder,  eight  hundred  Balls,  three  hundred  Flints,  twenty 

six  Knives,  and  ten  Axes,  two  or  three  Pounds  Weight  of 

Beads ;  Monsr.  Cavelier  left  them  Part  of  his  Linen,  hoping 

we  should  soon  be  in  a  Place  where  we  should  get  more; 

and  all  of  them  having  made  their  Peace  with  God,  by  jhe  jour- 

Means  of  the  Sacrament  of  Penance,  we  took  Leave  of  **^y  con/in- 

them,  excepting  the  Sieur  Couture,  who  went  to  conduct  us 

Part  of  the  Way. 

We  imbark'd  on  a  Canoe  belonging  to  one  of  the  Chiefs, 
being  at  least  twenty  Persons,  as  well  Women  as  Men,  and 
arrived  safe,  without  any  Trouble,  at  a  Village  calFd  Tori-  Toriman 
man,  for  we  were  going  down  the  River.  We  were  well  *  ^^^* 
received  in  the  Chiefs  wigwam,  and  were  treated  as  we  had 
been  when  among  the  others.  We  proposed  it  to  these 
People,  or  rather  demanded  it  of  them  to  confirm  what  had 
been  granted  us  by  the  others,  and  they  deferred  giving  us 
their  Answer  till  the  next  Day ;  for  they  do  Nothing  with- 
out consulting  about  it,  and  we  having  brought  a  Sack  of 
Indian  Wheat,  from  the  French  Mens  House,  desir'd  the 
Chief  to  cause  Women  tO'  pound  it,  for  which  we  would 
give  ^em  Something.  Immediately  he  made  a  Sign  to  his 
Officers  to  go  call  them,  and  they  went  as  readily. 

There  were  seven  or  eight  of  those  Officers  always  about  Officers. 
him,  stark  naked  and  besmear'd,  some  after  one  Fashion, 
and  others  after  another.  Each  of  them  had  three  or  four 
Calabashes  or  Gourds,  hanging  at  a  Leather  Girdle  about 
their  Wastes,  in  which  there  were  several  Pebbles,  and  be- 
hind them  hung  a  Horse's  Tail,  so  that  when  they  ran, 
the  Gourds  made  a  ratling  Noise,  and  the  Tail  being  born 
up  by  the  Wind,  stood  out  at  its  full  Length,  so  that  Noth- 
ing could  be  seen  more  ridiculous ;  but  it  behooved  us  to  take 
Heed  of  shewing  the  least  Smile. 

The  remaining  Part  of  the  Day  was  spent  in  going  with  The  River 
the  Sieur  Couture  to  see  the  fatal  River  so  much  sought  ^J^^^^^^^J 
after  by  us,  called  Colbert,  when  first  discovered,  and  Mis-  last. 


i82  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


July  1687 


Particular 
Ceremonies. 


Tonningua 
Village. 


Cappa 
Village. 


sisipi,  or,  Mechassipi  by  the  Natives  that  were  near  us. 
It  is  a  very  fine  River  and  deep,  the  Breadth  of  it  about  a 
Quarter  of  a  League,  and  the  Stream  very  rapid.  The 
Sieur  Couture  assur'd  us,  that  it  has  two  Branches  or 
Channels,  which  parted  from  each  other  above  us,  and  that 
we  had  passed  its  other  Branch,  when  we  came  to  the  first 
Village  of  the  Accancea's,  with  which  Nation  we  still  were. 

The  28th,  the  Chief  and  the  Elders  being  assembled,  they 
granted  our  Requests.  We  were  to  part,  in  order  to  be 
entertain'd  in  several  Places,  where  we  took  Notice  of  some 
particular  Ceremonies,  which  we  had  not  seen  among  the 
other  Nations.  One  of  them  is,  that  they  serve  up  their 
Meat  in  two  or  four  large  Dishes,  which  are  first  set  down 
before  the  two  principal  Guests,  who  are  at  one  End,  and 
when  they  have  eaten  a  little,  those  Dishes  are  shovM 
down  lower  and  others  are  served  up  in  their  Place,  in  the 
same  Manner ;  so  that  the  first  Dishes  are  served  at  the  upper 
End  and  thrust  down  lower  as  others  come  in. 

He  who  treats,  does  not  sit  down  with  the  Company, 
nor  does  he  eat,  but  performs  the  Part  of  a  Steward,  tak- 
ing Care  of  the  Dressing  and  of  the  Placing  of  the  Meat 
scrv'd  up;  and  to  the  End  he  may  appear  the  finer,  he  never 
fails  to  besmear  himself  with  Clay,  or  some  red  or  black 
Colouring  they  make  use  of. 

The  29th,  we  set  out  from  that  Village,  and  imbark'd 
on  two  Canoes  to  cross  the  Missisipi.  The  Chief  and  about 
a  Score  of  young  Folks  bore  us  Company  to  the  next  Vil- 
lage caird  Tonningua,  seated  on  the  Bank  of  that  River, 
where  we  were  received  in  the  Chief's  Cottage,  as  we  had 
been  in  the  others.  The  Elders  treated  us  in  their  Turns, 
and  the  Descriptions  before  given  will  serve  for  this  Place, 
there  being  but  little  Difference  between  them  and  their 
Neighbours. 

The  30th,  we  set  out  for  Cappa,  the  last  Village  of  the 
Accancea's,  eight  Leagues  distant  from  the  Place  we  had 
left.  We  were  obliged  to  cross  the  River  Missisipi  several 
Times  in  this  Way;  because  it  winds  very  much,  and  we 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  183 

had  some  foul  Weather,  which  made  it  late  before  we  could  Aug.  1687 
reach  Cappa.  A  great  Number  of  Youth  came  to  meet 
us,  some  of  them  conducted  us  to  the  Chief's  Cottage,  and 
others  took  Care  of  our  Baggage,  which  was  restored  to 
us  very  honestly.  We  found  the  Elders  waiting  for  us;  a 
great  Fire  was  kindled  to  dry  us,  and  the  Cottage  was 
lighted  by  several  burning  Reeds,^  which  they  make  use  of 
instead  of  Flambeaus;  after  which  we  were  serv'd  as  in 
other  Places. 

The  31st,  we  received  Visits  from  the  Elders.  Their 
Discourse  ran  upon  the  War  they  designed  to  make,  think- 
ing to  ingage  us  in  it,  and  we  returned  the  same  Answer  as 
we  had  done  to  the  others,  that  we  would  soon  return  with 
all  Things  we  stood  in  Need  of.  We  ask'd  a  Man  of  them, 
which  was  granted,  and  the  Day  ended  in  Feasting. 

We  would  willingly  have  set  out  the  First  of  August ;  Entertain- 
but  the  Chief  came  and  told  us,  it  could  not  be,  because  the  by  the  In- 
Women  had  not  pounded  our  Corn,  which  however  was  dians. 
done;  but  they  made  use  of  that  Pretence  to  oblige  us  to 
stay,  and  to  have  Leisure  to  give  us  some  Diversion,  after 
their  Manner.     Accordingly,  about  Ten  in  the  Morning, 
the  Warriors  and  Youth  came  together  to  Dance.     They 
were  dress' d  after  their  best  Manner,  some  of  them  wearing 
Plumes  of  several  Colours,   wherewith  they  adorn  their 
Heads,  others,  instead  of  Feathers,  had  two  Bullocks  Horns, 
and  were  all  besmear'd  with  Clay,  of  Black  or  of  Red,  so 
that  they  really  looked  like  a  Company  of  Devils  or  Mon- 
sters, and  in  those  Figures  they  danc'd,  as  I  have  described 
it,  speaking  of  the  other  Nations. 

The  Second,  we  made  ready  to  be  going.  The  Indian 
given  by  the  first  Village  for  our  Guide,  would  not  go  any 
farther.  A  Man,  said  to  be  an  Hermaphrodite,  ofiFer'd  to 
supply  his  Place,  saying,  he  was  willing  to  go  to  the  Islinois. 
We  took  Leave  of  the  Sieur  Couture,  to  whom  Monsr. 
Cavelier  made  an  Exhortation,  encouraging  him  to  per- 

1  Fr.  "  des  Cannes  seiches  allum^es  "  —  dry  reeds  aflame. 


184         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Aug.  1687  severe  and  have  Patience,  in  Hopes  of  the  Relief  we  wou'd 
'  send  him,  and  so  we  imbark'd  on  the  Missisipi  in  a  Canoe, 
being  Nine  in  Number,  that  is,  five  of  us,  and  the  four 
Indians  that  were  our  Guides.  We  were  oblig'd  to  cross 
that  River  very  often,  and  no  less  frequently  to  carry  our 
Canoe  and  Goods,  as  well  on  Account  of  the  Rapidity  of 
the  River,  and  to  find  it  slacker  on  the  one  or  the  other 
Side  of  it,  which  was  very  troublesome  to  our  Guides,  as 
because  of  the  little  islands  we  met  with,  which  are  formed 
by  the  impetuous  beating  of  the  Water  upon  the  Banks, 
that  opix)se  its  Course,  where  the  Channels  happen  not  to 
lie  strait;  there  it  washes  away  the  Earth  and  bears  down 
great  Trees,  which  in  Process  of  Time  form  little  Islands, 
that  divide  the  Channel.  At  Night  we  incamp'd  in  one  of 
those  small  Islands,  for  our  greater  Safety,  for  we  were 

Machiga-      then  come  into  an   Enemy's  Nation,  calFd  Machigamea, 

raea  Natton.  which  put  our  Indians  into  great  Frights. 

It  is  certain  our  Toil  was  very  great,  for  we  were  oblig'd 
to  row  in  the  Canoe,  to  help  our  Indians  to  stem  the  Cur- 
rent of  the  River,  because  we  were  going  up,  and  it  was 
very  strong  and  rapid ;  we  were  often  necessitated  to  land, 
and  sometimes  to  travel  over  miry  Lands,  where  we  sunk  up 
half  way  the  Leg;  other  Times  over  burning  Sands,  which 
scorch'd  our  Feet,  having  no  Shoes,  or  else  over  Splinters 
of  Wood,  which  ran  into  the  Soles  of  our  Feet,  and  when 
we  were  come  to  the  resting  Place,  we  were  to  provide 
Fuel  to  dress  our  Meat,  and  provide  all  Things  for  our 
Indians,  who  would  not  have  done  so  much  as  go  fetch  a 
Cup  of  Water,  tho'  we  were  on  the  Bank  of  the  River,  and 
yet  we  were  happy  enough  in  having  them. 

We  proceeded  on,  continually  undergoing  the  same  Toil, 
till  the  Seventh,  when,  we  saw  the  first  Bullock,  we  had 
met  on  our  Way,  since  our  coming  among  the  Accancea's. 
The  Indians,  who  had  a  great  Mind  to  eat  Flesh,  made  a 
Sign  to  me,  to  go  kill  it.  I  pursu'd  and  Shot,  but  it  did 
not  fall,  the  Indians  ran  after,  kill'd,  and  came  to  tell  us 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  185 

it  must  be  parch'd,  or  dry'd,  which  was  accordingly  done.  Aug.  1687 
I  must  here  take  Notice  of  a  Ceremony  our  Indians  per- 
form'd,  when  they  came  near  the  Bullock,  before  they  flead 
him. 

In  the  first  Place,  they  adorn'd  his  Head  with  some  Ceremony 
Swans  and  Bustards  Down,  dy'd  red,  and  put  some  Ta-  ^* pressing 
bacco  into  his  Nostrils,  and  between  the  Clefts  of  the  Hoofs. 
When  they  had  flead  him,  they  cut  out  the  Tongue,  and 
put  a  Bit  of  Tabacco  into  its  Place;  then  they  stuck  two 
Wooden  Forks  into  the  Ground,  laid  a  Stick  across  them, 
on  which  they  plac'd  several  Slices  of  the  Flesh,  in  the 
Nature  of  an  Offering.  The  Ceremony  being  ended,  we 
parch'd  or  dry'd  the  best  Parts  of  the  Beast  and  proceeded 
on  our  Journey. 

The  9th,  we  found  the  Banks  of  the  River  very  high,  Banks  of 
and  the  Earth  of  them  Yellow,  Red  and  White,  and  thither  ^^"^^^^l^ 
the  Natives  came  to  furnish  themselves  with  it,  to  adorn 
their  Bodies,  on  Festival  Days.    We  held  on  our  Way  till 
the  14th,  when  we  met  a  Herd  of  Bullocks,  whereof  we 
kill'd  five,  dry'd  Part  of  them,  and  proceeded  till  the  i8th. 

The  19th,  we  came  to  the  Mouth  of  the  River,  call'd  Houabache 
Houahache,  said  to  come  from  the  Country  of  the  Iroquois,  •^*^^''- 
towards  New  England.  That  is  a  very  fine  River,  its 
Water  extraordinary  clear,  and  the  Current  of  it,  gentle. 
Our  Indians  offer' d  up  to  it,  by  Way  of  Sacrifice,  some 
Tabacco  and  Beef  Steaks,  which  they  fix'd  on  Forks,  and 
left  them  on  the  Bank,  to  be  dispos'd  of  as  the  River  thought 
fit.  We  observ'd  some  other  Superstitions  among  those 
poor  People,  one  whereof  was  as  follows. 

There  were  some  certain  Days,  on  which  they  Fasted,  Indian  Fast. 
and  we  knew  them,  when  as  soon  as  they  awak'd,  they  be- 
smear'd  their  Faces  and  Arms,  or  other  Parts  of  their 
Bodies,  with  a  slimy  Sort  of  Earth,  or  pounded  Charcoal; 
for  that  Day  they  did  not  eat  till  Ten  or  Eleven  of  the 
Clock  at  Night,  and  before  they  did  eat  they  were  to  wipe 
off  that  Smearing,  and  had  Water  brought  them  for  that 


i86         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Au(!.  1687     Purpose.    The  Occasion  of  their  Fasting  was,  as  they  gave 
us  to  understand,  that  they  might  have  good  Success  in 
Hunting,  and  kill  Abundance  of  Bullocks. 
Salt  Water      We  held  on  our  Way  till  the  25th,  when  the  Indians 
Spring.         shew'd  US  a  Spring  of  Salt  Water,  within  a  Musket  Shot  of 
us,  and  made  us  go  ashore  to  view  it.     We  observ'd  the 
Ground  about  it  was  much  beaten  by  Bullocks  Feet,  and 
it  is  likely  they  love  that  Salt  Water.    The  Country  about, 
was  full  of  Hillocks,  covered  with  Oaks  and  Wallnut-Trees, 
Abundance  of  Plum-Trees,  almost  all  the  Plums  red  and 
pretty  good,  besides  great  Store  of  other  Sorts  of  Fruits, 
Wild  Fruit,  whose  Names  we  know  not,  and  among  them  one  shap'd 
like  a  midling  Pear,  with  Stones  in  it  as  big  as  large 
Beans.     When  ripe  it  peels  like  a  Peach,  the  Taste  is  in- 
different good,  but  rather  of  the  Sweetest. 

The  27th,  having  discovered  a  Herd  of  Beeves,  we  went 
ashore  to  kill  some;  I  shot  a  Heifer,  which  was  very  good 
Meat,  we  put  a  Board  the  best  of  it,  and  held  on  our  Way 
till  the  Evening,  when  we  encamped  on  an  Island,  where  we 
observ'd  an  alteration  in  the  Humour  and  Behaviour  of 
our  Indians.  This  put  us  under  some  Apprehension,  and 
the  more,  for  that  he  who  was  reckoned  an  Hermaphrodite, 
told  us,  they  intended  to  leave  us,  which  obliged  us  to  secure 
our  Arms  and  double  our  Watch  during  the  Night,  for  Fear 
they  should  forsake  us. 

With  that  Jealousy  we  proceeded  on  our  Journey  the 
28th  and  29th,  coasting  along  the  Foot  of  an  upright  Rock, 
about  sixty,  or  eighty  Foot  high,  round  which  the  River 
Missouris      glides.    Held  on  the  30th  and  31st,  and  the  first  of  Septem- 
River.  ^^^  pass'd  by  the  Mouth  of  a  River  call'd  Missouris,  whose 

Water  is  always  thick,  and  to  which  our  Indians  did  not 
forget  to  offer  Sacrifice. 

Pretended  ^      ^^^  ^^'  ^^  ^^riv'd  at  the  Place,  where  the  Figure  is  of 

Monster.       the  pretended  Monster  spoken  of  by  Father  Marquet.    That 

Monster  consists  of  two  scurvy  Figures  drawn  in  red,  on  the 

flat  Side  of  a  Rock,  about  eight  or  ten  Foot  high,  which 

wants  very  much  of  the  extraordinary  Height  that  Re- 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  187 

lation  mentions.  However  our  Indians  paid  Homage,  by  Sept.  1687 
offering  Sacrifice  to  that  Stone ;  tho'  we  endeavoured  to 
give  them  to  understand,  that  the  said  Rock  had  no  Man- 
ner of  Virtue,  and  that  we  worship'd  something  above  it, 
pointing  up  to  Heaven ;  but  it  was  to  no  Purpose,  and  they 
made  Signs  to  us,  that  they  should  die  if  they  did  not  per- 
form that  Duty.  We  proceeded,  coasting  along  a  Chain 
of  Mountains,  and  at  length,  on  the  3d,  left  the  Missisipi,  River  of  the 
to  enter  the  River  of  the  Islinois.  Islmois. 

We  found  a  great  Alteration  in  that  River,  as  well  with 
Respect  to  its  Course,  which  is  very  gentle,  as  to  the  Coun- 
try about  it,  which  is  much  more  agreeable  and  beautiful 
than  that  about  the  great  River,  by  Reason  of  the  many 
fine  Woods  and  Variety  of  Fruit  its  Banks  are  adorn'd  with. 
It  was  a  very  great  comfort  to  us,  to  find  so  much  Ease 
in  going  up  that  River,  by  Reason  of  its  gentle  Stream,  so 
that  we  all  stay'd  in  the  Canoe  and  made  much  more  Way. 

Thus  Ave  went  on  till   the  8th,   without  stopping  any  i^^\^^  j,-^^ 
longer  than  to  kill  a  Bullock,  and  one  of  our  Indians,  who  of  eating 
had  a  craving  Stomach,  having  eaten  some  of  its  Suet  hot  ''^^  '^**^'- 
and  raw,  was  taken  very  ill,  and  died  of  it,  as  I  shall  men- 
tion in  its  Place. 

The  9th,  we  came  into  a  Lake,  about  half  a  League  over, 
which  we  cross'd,  and  returned  into  the  Channel  of  the 
River,  on  the  Banks  whereof  we  found  several  Marks  of 
the  Natives  having  been  incamp'd  there,  when  they  came 
to  fish  and  dry  what  they  caught.  The  loth,  we  crossed 
another  Lake,  call'd  Primitehouy,  return'd  to  the  River, 
and  the  nth,  saw  Indians  before  us,  incamp'd  on  the  Bank 
of  a  River,  whereupon  we  stop'd  and  made  ready  our  Arms. 
In  the  mean  Time,  one  of  them  came  towards  us  by  Land, 
and  we  put  on  our  Canoe  towards  him. 

When  that  Indian  was  near,  he  stood  gazing  on  us,  with-  Meeting 
out  speaking  a  Word,  and  then  drawing  still  nearer,  we  "^f'*  ^^^^' 
gave  him  to  understand,  that  we  were  sent  by  Monsieur 
de  la  Sale,  and  came  from  him.     Then  he  made  Signs  to 
us,  to  advance  towards  his  People,  whom,  he  went  before  to 


l88  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Sept.  1687  acquaint  with  what  he  had  said  to  him,  so  that  when  we 
were  come  near  them  they  fired  Several  Shot  to  salute  us, 
and  we  answer'd  them  with  our  Firelocks. 

After  that  mutual  Salutation,  they  came  into  our  Canoe, 
to  signify,  they  were  glad  to  hear  News  of  Monsieur  de  la 
Sale.  We  ask'd  them,  What  Nation  they  were  of;  they 
answer'd,  They  were  Islinois,  of  a  Canton  calFd  Cascasquia, 
We  enquir'd  whether  Monsieur  Tonty  was  at  Fort  Lewis; 
they  gave  us  to  understand,  that  he  was  not,  but  that  he 
was  gone  to  the  War  against  the  Iroquois,  They  invited 
us  Ashore,  to  go  with  them  to  eat  of  such  as  they  had,  we 
thank'd  them,  and  they  brought  us  some  Gourds  and  Water 
Melons,  in  Exchange  for  which,  we  gave  them  some  parch'd 
Flesh. 

We  had  not  by  the  Way  taken  Notice  of  a  Canoe,  in 
which  was  a  Man  with  two  Women,  who,  being  afraid  of 
us,  had  hid  themselves  among  the  Reeds,  but  that  man  see- 
ing us  stop  among  his  Countrymen,  took  Heart,  came  to 
us,  and  having  told  us,  that  he  belong' d  to  a  Village  near 
Fort  Lezms,  we  set  out  together,  and  one  of  our  Indians 
went  into  that  Canoe,  to  help  them  to  shove,  so  they  call  the 
Way  of  pushing  on  the  Canoe  with  Poles  instead  of  rowing. 

Fort  Lewis       Qn  Sunday,  the  14th  of  September,  about  two  in  the 
among  the      .  .,  -^  ^  .  ,        -kt  •    1  1         i        1        r     -r^ 

Islinois.        Afternoon,    we   came    mto   the    Neighbourhood    of    Fort 

Lewis.  Drawing  near,  we  were  met  by  some  Indians  that 
were  on  the  Bank,  who  having  view'd  us  well,  and  under- 
standing we  came  from  Monsr.  de  la  Sale,  and  that  we  be- 
long'd  to  him,  ran  to  the  Fort  to  carry  the  News,  and 
immediately  we  saw  a  French  Man  come  out,  with  a  Com- 
pany of  Indians,  who  fir'd  a  Volley  of  several  Pieces,  to 
salute  us.  Then  the  French  Man  drew  near,  and  desir'd 
us  to  come  Ashore,  which  we  did,  leaving  only  one  in  the 
Canoe,  to  take  Care  of  our  Baggage;  for  the  Islinois  are 
very  sharp  at  carrying  off  anything  they  can  lay  their 
Hands  on,  and  consequently,  nothing  near  so  honest  as  the 

Arrival  at    Nations  we  had  pass'd  thro*. 

Fort  Lewis.      We  all  walk'd  together  towards  the  Fort,  and  found 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  189 

three  French  Men  coming  to  meet  us,  and  among  them  a  Sept.  1687 
Clerk,  who  had  belong'd  to  the  late  Monsr.  de  la  Sale,  ~ 

nomme  Boisrondet.  They  immediately  ask'd  us,  where 
Monsr.  de  la  Sale  was,  we  told  them,  he  had  brought  us 
Part  of  the  Way,  and  left  us  at  a  Place  about  forty 
Leagues  beyond  the  Cenis,  and  that  he  was  then  in  good 
Health.  All  that  was  true  enough;  for  Monsr.  Cavelier 
and  I,  who  were  the  Persons,  that  then  spoke,  were  not 
present  at  Monsr.  de  la  Sale's  Death;  he  was  in  good 
Health  when  he  left  us,  and  I  have  told  the  Reasons  we 
had  for  concealing  his  Death,  till  we  came  into  France. 

It  is  no  less  true,  that  Father  Anastasius,  and  he  they 
call'd  Tcisier,  could  have  given  a  better  Account,  the  one 
as  an  Eye  Witness,  and  the  other,  as  one  of  the  Mur- 
derers, and  they  were  both  with  us;  but  to  avoid  lying, 
they  said  Nothing.  We  farther  told  them,  we  had  Orders 
to  go  over  into  France,  to  give  an  Account  of  the  Dis- 
coveries made  by  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  and  to  procure  the 
sending  of  Succours. 

At  length,  we  enter'd  the  Fort,  where  we  found  and 
surpriz'd  several  Persons  who  did  not  expect  us.  All  the 
French  were  under  Arms  and  made  several  Discharges  to  Reception, 
welcome  us.  Monsieur  de  Belle  Fontaine  Lieutenant  to 
Monsr.  Tonty,  was  at  the  Head  of  them  and  complimented 
us.  Then  we  were  conducted  to  the  Chappel,  where  we 
return'd  Thanks  to  God,  from  the  Bottom  of  our  Hearts, 
for  having  preserv'd  and  conducted  us  in  Safety;  after 
which  we  had  our  Lodgings  assigned  us,  Monsr.  Cavelier 
and  Father  Anastasius  had  one  Chamber,  and  we  were  put 
into  the  Magazine,  or  Ware-house.  All  this  While,  the 
Natives  came  by  Intervals,  to  fire  their  Pieces,  'to  express 
their  Joy  for  our  Return,  and  for  the  News  we  brought  of 
Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  which  refresh'd  our  Sorrow  for  his 
Misfortune;  perceiving  that  his  Presence  would  have  set- 
tled all  Things  advantageously. 

The  Day  after  our  Arrival,  one  of  the  Indians,  who  had 
conducted  us,  having  been  sick  ever  since  he  eat  the  raw 


igo         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Sept  1687  Beef  Suet,  I  mentioned  before,  died,  and  his  Companions 
took  away  and  bury'd  him  privately.  We  gave  them  the 
promised  Reward,  and  the  Part  belonging  to  the  Dead 
Man,  to  be  deliver'd  to  his  Relations.  They  stay'd  some 
Time  in  the  Fort,  during  the  which,  we  took  extraordinary 
Care  of  them,  and  at  last  they  returned  to  their  own  Homes. 

As  far  as  we  could  gather  by  half  Words  dropp'd  there 
by  one  or  other  at  the  Fort,  Something  had  been  done 
there  prejudicial  to  the  Service  of  Monsr.  de  la  Sale,  and 
against  his  Authority,  and  therefore  some  dreaded  his  Re- 
turn, but  more  especially  a  Jesuit  was  in  great  Consterna- 
tion. He  was  sick.  Monsieur  Cavelier,  Father  Anastasius 
and  I  went  to  visit  him.  He  enquired  very  particularly  of 
all  Points,  and  could  not  conceal  his  Trouble,  which  we 
would  not  seem  to  take  Notice  of. 

Our  Design  being  to  make  the  best  of  our  way  to  Can- 
adaj  in  Order  to  set  out  Aboard  the  first  French  Ships  that 
should  Sail  for  France,  we  enquired  how  we  were  to  pro- 
ceed, and  met  with  several  Difficulties.  The  Navigation 
Falls  in  the  on  that  River  was  very  Dangerous,^  by  Reason  of  the  Falls 
there  are  in  it,  which  must  be  carefully  avoided,  unless  a 
Man  will  run  an  inevitable  Hazard  of  perishing.  There 
were  few  Persons  capable  of  managing  that  Affair,  and 
the  War  with  the  Iroquois  made  all  Men  afraid. 

However  the  Sieur  Boisrondet,  Clerk  to  the  late  Monsr. 
de  la  Sale,  having  told  us  he  had  a  Canoe,  in  which  he 
designed  to  go  down  to  Canada,  we  prepared  to  make  use 
of  that  Opportunity.  Care  was  taken  to  gather  Provisions 
for  our  Voyage,  to  get  Furs  to  barter  as  we  pass'd  by 
Micilimaquinay,  The  Visits  of  two  Chiefs  of  Nations, 
caird  Cascasquia  Peroueria  and  Cacahouanous  discovered 
by  the  late  Monsieur  de  la  Sale,  did  not  interrupt  our  Af- 
fairs, and  all  things  being  ready  on  the  ist,  we  took  Leave 
on  the  1 8th,  of  those  we  left  in  the  Fort.  Monsieur  Cave- 
lier  writ  a  Letter  for  Monsieur  Tonty,  which  he  left  there 

iFr.  "difficile"— difficult. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  191 

to  be  delivered  to  him,  and  we  repaired  to  the  Lake  to  Oct.  1687 
imbark. 

It  would  be  needless  to  relate  all  the  Troubles  and  Hard- 
ships we  met  with,  in  that  Journey,  it  was  painful  and 
fruitless,  for  having  gone  to  the  Bank  of  the  Lake,  in  very 
foul  Weather,  after  waiting  there  eight  Days,  for  that  foul 
Weather  to  cease,   and  after  we  had  imbark' d,  not  with-  M.  Cave- 
standing  the  Storm,  we  were  oblig'd  to  put  Ashore  again,  J^J'  ^^5*  ^^ 
to  return  to  the  Place  where  we  had  imbark'd,  and  there  to  returns 
dig  a  Hole  in  the  Earth,  to  bury  our  Baggage  and  Pro-  ^^^*'** 
visions,  to  save  the  Trouble  of  carrying  them  back  to  Fort 
Lewis,  whither  we  returned  and  arrived  there  the  7th  of 
October;  where  they  were  surpriz'd  to  see  us  come  back. 

Thus  were  we  oblig'd  to  continue  in  that  Fort  all  the 
rest  of  Autumn  and  Part  of  the  Winter,  to  our  great  Sor- 
row, and  not  so  much  for  our  own  Disappointment,  as 
for  being,  by  that  Means,  obstructed  from  sending  of  Suc- 
cours, as  soon  as  we  had  expected,  as  well  to  the  said  Fort, 
as  to  those  French  of  our  own  Company,  whom  we  had 
left  on  the  Coast  of  the  Bay  of  Mexico. 

It  was  then  the  good  Season  for  shooting.  Those  Gen- 
tlemen at  the  Fort  had  secur'd  two  good  Indian  Sports- 
men, who  never  let  us  want  for  Wild  Fowl  of  all  Sorts; 
besides  we  had  good  Bread,  and  as  good  Fruit,  and  had 
there  been  any  Thing  to  drink  besides  Water,  we  had  far'd 
well.  The  Leisure  we  had  during  our  Stay  there,  gave  me 
an  Opportunity  of  making  the  following  Remarks,  as  well 
of  my  own  Observation,  as  what  I  learn' d  of  the  French 
residing  there. 

Fort  Lewis  is  in  the  Country  of  the  Islinois  and  seated  Description 
on  a  steep  Rock,  about  two  hundred  Foot  high,  the  River  of  Fort 
running  at  the  Bottom  of  it.     It  is  only  fortified  with  ^i^g  Country 
Stakes  and  Palisades,  and  some  Houses  advancing  to  the  (i^out  it. 
Edge  of  the  Rock.     It  has  a  very  spacious  Esplanade,  or 
Place  of  Arms.     The  Place  is  naturally  strong,  and  might 
be  made  so  by  Art,  with  little  Expence.     Several  of  the 
Natives  live  in  it,  in  their  Huts.    I  cannot  give  an  Account 


192  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Oct.  1687  of  the  Latitude  it  stands  in,  for  Want  of  proper  Instru- 
ments  to  take  an  Observation,  but  Nothing  can  be  pleas- 
anter ;  and  it  may  be  truly  affirm'd,  that  the  Country  of  the 
Islinois  enjoys  all  that  can  make  it  accompli sh'd,  not  only 
as  to  Ornament,  but  also  for  its  plentiful  Production  of  all 
Things  requisite  for  the  Support  of  human  Life. 

The  Plain,  which  is  water'd  by  the  River,  is  beautified 
by  two  small  Hills,  about  half  a  League  distant  from  the 
Fort,  and  those  Hills  are  cover'd  with  Groves  of  Oaks, 
Walnut-Trees  and  other  Sorts   I  have  named  elsewhere. 

Lime  and     The  Fields  are  full  of  Grass,  growing  up  very  high.     On 

B^^\     /^    the  Sides  of  the  Hills  is  found  a  gravelly  Sort  of  Stone, 

'       '  very  fit  to  make  Lime  for  Building.    There  are  also  many 

Clay  Pits,  fit  for  making  of  Earthen  Ware,  Bricks  and 

Tiles,  and  along  the  River  there  are  Coal  Pits,  the  Coal 

whereof  has  been  try'd  and  found  very  good. 

Mines.  There  is  no  Reason  to  question,  but  that  there  are  in 

this  Country,  Mines  of  all  Sorts  of  Metals,  and  of  the  rich- 
est, the  Climate  being  the  same  as  that  of  Neitf  Mexico, 
We  saw  several  Spots,  where  it  appeared  there  were  Iron 
Mines,  and  found  some  Pieces  of  it  on  the  Bank  of  the 
River,  which  Nature  had  cleansed.  Travellers  who  have 
been  at  the  upper  Part  of  the  Missisipi,  affirm  that  they 
have  found  Mines  there,  of  very  good  Lead. 

Product.  That  Country  is  one  of  the  most  temperate  in  the  World, 

and  consequently  whatsoever  is  sow'd  there,  whether 
Herbs,  Roots,  Indian  and  even  European  Com  thrives 
very  well,  as  has  been  try'd  by  the  Sieur  Boisrondet,  who 
sow'd  of  all  Sorts,  and  had  a  plentiful  Crop,  and  we  eat  of 
the  Bread,  which  was  very  good.  And  whereas  we  were 
assured,  that  there  were  Vines  which  run  up,  whose  Grapes 
are  very  good  and  delicious,  growing  along  the  River,  it  is 
reasonable  to  believe,  that  if  those  Vines  were  transplanted 
and  prun'd,  there  might  be  very  good  Wine  made  of  them. 
There  is  also  Plenty  of  wild  Apple  and  Pear  Trees,  and  of 
several  other  Sorts,  which  would  afford  excellent  Fruit, 
were  they  grafted  and  transplanted. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  193 

All  other  Sorts  of  Fruit,  as  Plumbs,  Peaches  and  others,  Oct.  1687 
wherewith  the  Country  abounds,  would  become  exquisite, 
if  the  same  Industry  were  us'd,  and  other  Sorts  of  Fruit 
we  have  in  France  would  thrive  well,  if  they  were  carry'd 
over.  The  Earth  produces  a  Sort  of  Hemp,  whereof  Cloth 
might  be  made  and  Cordage. 

As  for  the  Manners  and  Customs  of  the  Islinois,  in  many  Manners 
Particulars  they  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  other  Nations  «wrf  Cus- 
we  have  seen.     They  are  naturally  fierce  and  revengeful,  islinois. 
and  among  them  the  Toil  of  Sowing,  Planting,  carrying 
of  Burdens,  and  doing  all  other  Things  that  belong  to  the  Women  do 
Support  of  Life,  appertains  peculiarly  to  the  Women.    The  ^^'  Labour. 
Men  have  no  other  Business  but  going  to  the  War  and 
hunting,  and  the  women  must  fetch  the  Game  when  they 
have  kiird  it,  which  sometimes  they  are  to  carry  very  far 
to  their  Dwellings,  and  there  to  parch,  or  dress  it  any  other 
Way. 

When  the  Com  or  other  Grain  is  sow'd,  the  Women 
secure  it  from  the  Birds  till  it  comes  up.  Those  Birds  are 
a  sort  of  Starlings,  like  ours  in  France,  but  larger  and  fly 
in  great  Swarms. 

The  Islinois  have  but  few  Children,  and  are  extremely  Children. 
fond  of  them;  it  is  the  Custom  among  them,  as  well  as 
others  I  have  mentioned,  never  to  chide,  or  beat  them,  but 
only  to  throw  Water  at  them,  by  Way  of  Chastisement. 

The  Nations  we  have  spoken  of  before,  are  not  at  all,  or  Thieving. 
very  little,  addicted  to  Thieving;  but  it  is  not  so  with  the 
Islinois,  and  it  behoves  every  Man  to  watch  their  Feet  as 
well  as  their  Hands,  for  they  know  how  to  turn  any  Thing 
out  of  the  Way  most  dexterously.  They  are  subject  to  the 
general  Vice  of  all  the  other  Indians,  which  is  to  boast  very  Boasting. 
much  of  their  Warlike  Exploits,  and  that  is  the  main  Sub- 
ject of  their  Discourse,  and  they  are  very  great  Lyars. 

They  pay  a  Respect  to  their  Dead,  as  appears  by  their  Care  of  the 
special  Care  of  burying  them,  and  even  of  putting  into 
Coffins  placed  high  above  the  ground,  the  Bodies  of  such 
as  are  considerable  among  them,  as  their  Chiefs  and  others, 
13 


194         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Oct.  1687      which  is  also  practiced  among  the  Accancea's,  but  they  dif- 
,  —  f^j.  jj^  ^j^jg  Particular,  that  the  Accancea's  weep  and  make 

their  Complaints  for  some  Days,  whereas  the  Chahouanous 
and  other  People  of  the  Islinois  Nation  do  just  the  Con- 
trary; for  when  any  of  them  die,  they  wrap  them  up  in 
Skins,  and  then  put  them  into  Coffins  made  of  the  Barks 
of  Trees,  then  sing  and  dance  about  them  for  twenty  four 
Hours.  Those  Dancers  take  Care  to  tie  Calabashes,  or 
Gourds  about  their  Bodies,  with  some  Indian  Wheat  in 
them,  to  rattle  and  make  a  Noise,  and  some  of  them  have  a 
Drum,  made  of  a  great  Earthen  Pot,  on  which  they  extend 
a  wild  Goat's  Skin,  and  beat  thereon  with  one  Stick,  like 
our  Tabors. 
Presents  to  During  that  Rejoicing,  they  throw  their  Presents  on  the 
the  Dead.  Coffin,  as  Bracelets,  Pendants,  or  Pieces  of  Earthen  Ware, 
and  Strings  of  Beads,  encouraging  the  Singers  to  perform 
their  Duty  well.  If  any  Friend  happens  to  come  thither 
at  that  Time,  he  immediately  throws  down  his  Present  and 
falls  a  singing  and  dancing  like  the  rest.  When  that  Cere- 
mony is  over,  they  bury  the  Body,  with  Part  of  the  Pres- 
ents, making  choice  of  such  as  may  be  most  proper  for  it. 
They  also  bury  with  it,  some  Store  of  Indian  Wheat,  with 
a  Pot  to  boil  it  in,  for  fear  the  dead  Person  should  be 
hungry  on  his  long  Journey;  and  they  repeat  the  same 
Ceremony  at  the  Year's  End. 
Game  of  the  A  good  Number  of  Presents  still  remaining,  they  divide 
*^^  '  them  into  several  Lots,  and  play  at  a  Game,  call'd  of  the 

Stick,  to  give  them  to  the  Winner.  That  Game  is  play'd, 
taking  a  short  Stick,  very  smooth  and  greas'd,  that  it  may 
be  the  Harder  to  hold  it  fast.  One  of  the  Elders  throws 
that  Stick  as  far  as  he  can,  the  young  Men  run  after  it, 
snatch  it  from  each  other,  and  at  last,  he  who  remains 
possess'd  of  it,  has  the  first  Lot.  The  Stick  is  then  thrown 
again,  he  who  keeps  it  then  has  the  second  Lot,  and  so  on 
to  the  End.  The  Women,  whose  Husbands  have  been 
slain  in  War,  often  perform  the  same  Ceremony,  and  treat 
the  Singers  and  Dancers  whom  they  have  before  invited. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA. 


195 


The  Marriages  of  the  Islinois  last  no  longer,  than  the  Oct.  1687 
Parties  agree  together ;  for  they  freely  part  after  a  Hunt-  Marriages. 
ing  Bout,  each  going  which  Way  they  please,  without  any 
Ceremony.     However,  the  Men  are  jealous  enough  of  their 
Wives,  and  when  they  catch  theni  in  a  Fault,  they  generally 
cut  off  their  Noses,  and  I  saw  one  who  had  been  so  serv'd. 

Nevertheless,  Adultery  is  not  reckoned  any  great  Cnm^  Adultery. 
among  them,  and  there  are  Women  who  make  no  Secret 
of  having  had  to  do  with  French  Men.  Yet  are  they  not 
sufficiently  addicted  to  that  Vice  to  offer  themselves,  and 
they  never  fall,  unless  they  are  sued  to,  when,  they  are  none 
of  the  most  difficult  in  the  World  to  be  prevail' d  on.  The 
rest  I  leave  to  those  who  have  liv'd  longer  there  than  I. 

We  continued  some  Time  in  Fort  Lezvis,  without  receiv- 
ing any  News.  Our  Business  was,  after  having  heard  Mass, 
which  we  had  the  good  Fortune  to  do  every  Day,  to  divert 
our  selves  the  best  we  could.  The  Indian  Women  daily  7/^^^,  fl^g 
brought  in  something  fresh,  we  wanted  not  for  Water  Travellers 
Melons,  Bread  made  of  Indian  Corn,  bak'd  in  the  Embers, 
and  other  such  Things,  and  we  rewarded  them  with  little 
Presents  in  Return. 

On  the  27th  of  October,  of  the  same  Year,  Monsieur  M.  Tonty 
Tonty  returned  from  the  War  with  the  Iroquois.^     ^^^  FaT/'^Lewis. 
Embraces  and  the  Relation  of  our  Adventures  were  again 
repeated ;  but  still  concealing  from  him,  the  Death  of  Mon- 
sieur de  la  Sale.     He  told  us  all  the  Particulars  of  that, 
war,  and  said,  That  the  Iroquois  having  got  Intelligence  of  War  with 
the  March  of  the  French  Forces  and  their  Allies,  had  all  q^ojs. 
come  out  of  their  Villages  and  laid  themselves  in  Ambush 
by  the  Way;  but  that  having  made  a  sudden  and  general 
Discharge  upon  our  Men,  with  their  usual  Cries,  yet  with- 
out much  Harm  done,  they  had  been  repuls'd  with  Loss, 
took  their  Flight,  and  by  the  Way  burnt  all  their  own 

*  This  was  the  famous  expedition  of  the  Marquis  de  Nonville 
against  the  Senecas,  in  which  Tonti,  Du  Shut  and  Duromtage,  came 
to  the  aid  of  the  Governor,  with  180  French  coureurs  de  bois  and  400 
Indians  from  the  upper  lakes. 


196  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Oct  1687     Villages.    That  Monsieur  d'  Hennonville^  chief  Governor 
~~  of  New  France,  had  caus'd  the  Army  to  march,  to  bum  the 

rest  of  their  Villages,  set  Fire  to  their  Country  and  Com, 
but  would  not  proceed  any  farther.  That  afterwards  he 
had  made  himself  Master  of  several  Canoes  belonging  to 
the  English,  most  of  them  laden  with  Brandy,  which  had 
been  plimder'd;  that  the  English  had  been  sent  Prisoners 
to  Montreal,  they  being  come  to  make  some  Attempt  upon 
the  Islinois. 
Dee.  1687  We  continued  after  this  Manner,  till  the  Month  of  De- 

cember,  when  two  Men  arrived,  from  Montreal.  They  came 
to  give  Notice  to  Monsr.  Tonty,  that  three  Canoes,  laden 
with  Merchandize,  Powder,  Ball  and  other  Things,  were 
arrived  at  Chicagou,  that  there  being  two  little  Water  in 
the  River,  and  what  there  was  being  frozen,  they  could 
come  down  no  lower ;  so  that  it  being  requisite  to  send  Men 
to  fetch  those  Things,  Monsr.  Tonty  desir'd  the  Chief  of 
the  Chahouanous  to  furnish  him  with  People.  That  Chief 
accordingly  provided  forty,  as  well  Men  as  Women,  who 
set  out  with  some  French  Men.  The  Honesty  of  the 
Chahouanous  was  the  Reason  of  preferring  them  before  the 
Islinois,  who  are  naturally  Knaves. 
Feb.  1688  That    Ammunition    and    the    Merchandize    were    soon 

brought,  and  very  seasonably,  the  Fort  being  then  in  Want. 
We  stay'd  there  till  the  End  of  February,  1688,  at  which 
Time  we  fix'd  our  Resolution  to  depart,  tho'  we  had  no 
News  from  Canada,  as  we  expected.  We  found  there  were 
some  Canoes  ready  to  undertake  that  Voyage,  and  we  laid 
hold  of  that  Opportunity  to  convoy  each  other  to  the 
Micilimaquinay,  where  we  hop'd  to  meet  some  News  from 
Canada. 
Mar.  1688  Monsieur  Cavelier  the  Priest,  had  taken  Care,  before 
the  Death  of  M.  de  la  Sale,  his  Brother,  to  get  of  him  a 
Letter  of  Credit,  to  receive  either  a  Sum  of  Money  or  Furs 
in  the  Country  of  the  Islinois.    He  tendered  that  Letter  to 

iThe  Marquis  De  Nonville,  Governor  General  of  Canada. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  197 

M.  Tonty,  who  believing  M.  de  la  Sale  was  still  alive,  made  Mar.  1688 
no  Difficulty  of  giving  him  to  the  Value  of  about  4000 
Livres  in  Furs,  Castors  and  Otter  Skins,  a  Canoe  and  other 
Effects,  for  which,  the  said  Monsr.  Cavelier  gave  him  his 
Note,^  and  we  prepared  for  our  Journey. 

I  have  before  observed,  that  there  was  a  Jesuit,  whose 
name  was  Dalouez^  at  Fort  Lewis,  and  who  had  been  very 
much  surpriz'd  to  hear  that  Monsr.  de  la  Sale  was  to  come 
in  a  short  Time,  being  under  great  Apprehensions  on  Ac- 
count of  a  Conspiracy  intended  to  have  been  carry'd  on, 
against  Monsr.  de  la  Sale's  Interest.  That  Father  perceiv- 
ing our  Departure  was  fix'd,  mov'd  first,  and  went  away 
foremost,  to  return  to  Micilimaquinay  f  so  that  they  were 
left  without  a  Priest  at  Fort  Lewis,  which  was  a  great 
Trouble  to  us,  because  we  were  the  Occasion  of  it,  and 
therefore  those,  who  were  to  remain  in  the  Fort,  antici- 
pated the  Time,  and  made  their  Easter,  taking  the  Ad- 
vantage of  the  Presence  of  F.  Anastasius  and  M.  Cavelier. 

At  length,  we  set  out  the  21st  of  March,  from  Fort 
Lewis.  The  Sieur  Boisrondet,  who  was  desirous  to  return  The  Travel 
toFra^c^,  join'dus,  we  imbark'd  on  the  River,  which  was  ^^'*'*'***^^* 
then  become  navigable,  and  before  we  had  advanc'd  five 
Leagues,  met  with  a  rapid  Stream,  which  obliged  us  to  go 
Ashore,  and  then  again  into  the  Water,  to  draw  along  our 
Canoe.  I  had  the  Misfortune  to  hurt  one  of  my  Feet  against 
a  Rock  that  lay  under  Water,  which  troubled  me  very 
much  for  a  long  Time;  and  we  being  under  a  Necessity 
of  going  often  into  the  Water,  I  suffer'd  extreamly,  and 
more  than  I  had  done  since  our  Departure  from  the  Gulph 
of  Mexico. 

We  arrived  at  Chicagou  the  29th  of  March,  and  our  first 
Care  was  to  go  seek  what  we  had  concealed  at  our  former 
Voyage,  having,  as  was  there  said,  bury'd  our  Luggage  and 
Provisions.    We  found  it  had  been  opened,  and  some  Furs 

1  Fr.  billet  &  reconnoissance  " —  i.  e.,  note  and  receipt. 

2  Father  Claude  Allouez. 
•  Michilimackinac. 


198  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Mar.  1688  and  Linen  taken  away,  almost  all  which  belonged  to  me. 
This  had  been  done  by  a  French  Man,  whom  M.  Tonty  had 
sent  from  the  Fort,  during  the  Winter  Season,  to  know 
whether  there  were  any  Canoes  at  Chicagou,  and  whom  he 
had  directed  to  see  whether  any  Body  had  medled  with  what 
we  had  concealed,  and  he  made  Use  of  that  Advice  to  rob  us. 
The  bad  Weather  oblig'd  us  to  stay  in  that  Place,  till 
April,  That  Time  of  Rest  was  advantageous  for  the  Heal- 
ing my  Foot;  and  there  being  but  very  little  Game  in  that 
Place,  we  had  Nothing  but  our  Meal  or  Indian  Wheat  to 
feed  on;  yet  we  discovered  a  Kind  of  Manna,^  which  was 
Sweet  a  great  Help  to  us.    It  was  a  Sort  of  Trees,  resembling  our 

Water  from  Maple,  in  which  we  made  Incisions,  whence  flow'd  a  sweet 
Liquor,  and  in  it  we  boil'd  our  Indian  Wheat,  which  made 
it  delicious,  sweet  and  of  a  very  agreeable  Relish. 

There  being  no  Sugar-Canes  in  that  Country,  those  Trees 
supply'd  that  Liquor,  which  being  boil'd  up  and  evaporated, 
turn'd  into  a  Kind  of  Sugar  somewhat  brownish,  but  very 
good.  In  the  Woods  we  found  a  Sort  of  Garlick,  not  so 
strong  as  ours,  and  small  Onions  very  like  ours  in  Taste, 
and  some  Charvel^  of  the  same  Relish  as  that  we  have,  but 
different  in  the  Leaf. 

The  Weather  being  somewhat  mended,  we  imbark'd  again 

and  enter'd  upon  the  Lake  on  the  8th  of  April,  keeping  to 

the  North  Side  to  shun  the  Iroquois.    We  had  some  Storms 

also,  and  saw  swelling  Waves  like  those  of  the  Sea;  but 

Quinetanan    arriv'd  safe  the  15th  at  a  River  call'd  Quinetonan,  near  a 

River.  Village  whence,  the  Inhabitants  depart  during  the  Winter 

Season,  to  go  a  Hunting,  and  reside  there  all  the  Summer. 

The  Sport  is  not  there  as  in  those  Countries  from  whence 

we  came;  but  on  the  Contrary,  very  poor,  and  we  found 

Nothing  but  some  very  lean  Wild  Goats,  and  even  those 

very  rarely,  because  the  Wolves,  which  are  very  numerous 

there,  make  great  Havock  of  them,  taking  and  devouring 

great  Numbers  after  this  Manner. 


"^Fr.  "manne" — maple  sap? 
2  Fr.  "  cerfeiiil  "—  chervil. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  199 

When  the  Wolves  have  discovered  a  Herd  of  Wild  Goats,  Apr.  1688 
they  rouse  and  set  them  a  running.    The  Wild  Goats  never  J[^ 
fail  to  take  to  the  first  Lake  they  meet  witli.    The  hunting  Wolves 
Wolves,  v^ho  are  used  to  that,  guard  the  Banks  carefully,  ^^'^       ^^*^' 
moving  along  the  Edges  of  them.    The  poor  Goats  being 
pierc'd  by  the  Cold  of  the  Lake,  grow  weary  and  so  get 
out,  or  else  the  River  swelling  forces  them  out  with  its 
Waves,  quite  benumm^d,  so  that  they  are  easily  taken  by 
their  Enemies,  who  devour  them.    We  frequently  saw  those 
Wolves  watching  along  the  Side  of  the  Lake,  and  kept  off 
to  avoid  frightning  them,  to  the  End  the  Wild  Goats  might 
not  quit  their  Sanctuary,  that  we  might  catch  some  of  them, 
as  it  sometimes  fell  out. 

The  28th,  we  arriv'd  among  the  Poutouatannis,  which  Poutoua- 
is  half  Way  to  Micilimaquinay,  where  we  purchas'd  some  Uon, 
Indian  Corn  for  the  rest  of  our  Voyage.  We  left  there 
on  the  last  of  the  month,  and  we  arrived  on  the  loth  of 
May  at  the  said  place  of  Michilimacinac.  We  found  no 
NcAvs  there  from  Montreal,  and  were  forc'd  to  stay  some 
Time  to  wait  an  Opportunity  to  go  down  the  River;  No 
Man  daring  to  venture,  because  of  the  War  with  the 
Iroquois. 

There  are  some  French  Men  in  that  Place,  and  four  Hurons 
Jesuits  J  who  have  a  House  well  built  with  Timber,  inclosed  houacs 
with  Stakes  and  Palisades.     There  are  also  some  Hurons  Nations. 
and  Outahouacs,  two  Neighbouring  Nations,  whom  those  ^^^     iggg 
Fathers   take   Care   to   instruct,    not   without   very   much 
Trouble,   those   People   being   downright   Libertines,   and 
there  are  very  often  none  but  a   few  Women  in  their 
Churches.     Those  Fathers  have  each  of  them  the  Charge 
of  instructing  a  Nation,  and  to  that  Effect  have  translated 
the  Prayers  into  the  Language  peculiar  to  each  of  them,  as 
also  all  other  Things  relating  to  the  Catholick  Faith  and 
Religion. 

They  offered  Father  Anastasius  and  Monsieur  Cavelier  June  1688 
a  Room,  which  they  accepted  of,  and  we  took  up  our  Lodg- 
ing in  a  little  Hovel  some  Travellers  had  made.    There  we 


200         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 


July  1688 


Islinois 
and  Hu- 
rons. 


French 
River. 


continued  the  rest  of  May  and  Part  of  June,  till  after  the 
Feast  of  Whitsontide,  The  Natives  of  the  Country  about, 
till  the  Land  and  sow  Indian  Corn,  Melons  and  Gourds, 
but  they  do  not  thrive  so  well  as  in  the  Country  we  came 
from.  However  they  live  on  them,  and  besides  they  have 
Fish  they  catch  in  the  Lake,  for  Flesh  is  very  scarce  among 
them. 

On  the  4th  of  June,  there  arriv'd  four  Canoes,  com- 
manded by  Monsieur  de  Porneuf,  coming  from  Montreal, 
and  bringing  News  from  the  Marques  d'  Hennonville,  and 
Orders  to  send  to  the  Settlements  which  were  towards  the 
Lake  des  Puans  and  others  higher  up,  towards  the  Source 
of  the  River  Colbert,  to  know  the  Posture  and  Condition 
of  Affairs.  We  prepar'd  to  be  gone  with  the  two  Canoes. 
Monsieur  Cavelier  bought  another,  to  carry  our  Baggage, 
and  left  Part  of  his  Fiirs  with  a  Merchant,  who  gave  him 
a  Note  to  receive  Money  at  Montreal.  I  did  the  same 
with  those  few  Furs  I  had,  the  rest  of  them  having  been 
left  at  Micilimaquinay. 

We  took  Leave  of  the  Jesuits,  and  set  out  in  four  Canoes, 
viz.  two  belonging  to  Monsieur  de  Porneuf,  and  two  to 
Monsieur  Cavelier,  one  of  which  had  been  brought  from 
Fort  Lewis,  and  the  other  bought,  as  I  have  just  now  said, 
we  being  twenty-nine  of  us  in  those  four  Canoes.  .  We  sail'd 
on  till  the  24th,  when  Monsieur  de  Porneuf  left  us  to  go  to 
St.  Mary's  Fall,  to  carry  the  Orders  given  him.  The  25th, 
we  got  out  of  the  Lake  of  the  Islinois,  to  enter  that  of  the 
Hurons,  on  the  Banks  whereof  stands  the  Village,  calfd 
Tessalon,  where  Monsieur  de  Porneuf  came  again  to  us,  the 
27th,  with  a  Canoe  of  the  Natives,  and  with  him  we  held 
on  our  Way. 

We  proceeded  to  Chehonany  the  30th  oi  June,  and  the 
3d  of  July,  enter'd  the  French  River,  where  we  were  forc'd 
several  Times  to  carry  our  Canoes  to  avoid  the  Falls  and 
the  rapid  Streams,  observing  as  we  went  a  barren  and  dry 
Country,  full  of  Rocks,  on  which  there  grow  Cedars  and 
Fir  Trees,  which  take  Root  in  the  Clefts  of  those  Rocks. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  201 

The  5th,  we  entered  upon  the  Uttle  Lake  of  Nipicingue,  Aug,  1688 
adjoining  to  a  Nation  of  that  Name.     We  got  out  of  it  Nipicingue 
again  the  7th,  and  enter'd  upon  the  great  River,  where,  Lake. 
after  having  pass'd  the  great  Fall,  we  arrived  the  13th, 
at  the  Point  of  the  Island  of  Montreal.     We  landed  at  a 
Village  call'd  la  Chine,   which  had  belong'd  to  the  late 
Monsr.  de  la  Sale.     Monsr.  Cavelier  set  out  the  14th,  for  Arrival  at 
Montreal,  where  we  came  to  him  the  17th.  Montreal. 

At  Montreal  we  found  the  Marques  d'  Hennonville,  Mon- 
sieur de  Noroy  the  Intendant  and  other  Gentlemen,  to 
whom  we  gave  an  Account  of  our  long  and  painful  Travels, 
with  the  Particulars  of  what  we  had  seen,  which  they  listned 
to  with  Satisfaction,  but  without  mentioning  Monsieur  de 
la  Sale's  Death.  We  told  them  the  Occasion  of  our  going 
over  into  France,  and  they  appro v'd  of  it,  being  of  Opinion 
with  us,  that  we  ought  to  hasten  our  Departure  as  much 
as  possible. 

We  made  us  some  Cloaths,  whereof  we  stood  in  Need. 
The  Sieur  Tessier,  who  came  along  with  us,  and  was  of  the 
Reform'd  Religion,  knowing  the  Exercise  of  it  was  forbid 
in  France,  abjur'd  it  in  the  great  Church  of  Montreal. 

The  27th,  we  went  aboard  a  Bark  to  go  down  the  River  Arrival  at 
to  Quebec,  where  we  arrived  the  29th,  Father  Anastasius  Q"^"^^^ 
carry'd  usito  the  Monastery  of  the  Fathers  of  his  Order, 
seated  half  a  League  from  the  Town,  on  a  little  River, 
where  we  were  most  kindly  received  by  the  Father  Guardian 
and  the  other  Religious  Men,  who  express'd  much  Joy  to 
see  us,  and  we  still  more  for  being  in  a  Place  of  Safety, 
after  so  many  Perils  and  Toils,  for  which  we  returned  our 
humble  Thanks  to  Almighty  God,  our  Protector. 

We  chose  rather  to  take  up  our  Lodging  there  than  in 
the  Town,  to  avoid  the  Visits  and  troublesome  Questions 
every  one  would  be  putting  to  us  with  much  Importunity, 
which  we  must  have  been  obliged  to  bear  patiently.  Mon- 
sieur Cavelier  and  his  Nephew,  whom  we  had  left  at  Mon- 
treal, arrived  some  Days  after  us,  and  were  lodg'd  in  the 
Seminary. 


202  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Aug.  1688  We  stay'd  in  that  Monastery  till  the  21st  of  Augmt, 
when  we  imbark'd  on  a  large  Boat,  eighteen  Persons  of  us, 
to  go  down  the  River  of  St.  Lami'ence,  a  Board  a  Ship,  that 
was  taking  in  and  fishing*of  Cod,  in  order  to  reach  France, 
We  went  a  Board  it  the  30th  of  the  same  Month,  and  after 
hearing  Mass,  made  ready  and  sail'd  for  our  dear  Country, 
arrived  safe  at  Rochelle  on  Saturday  the  9th  of  October 
1688,  whence,  setting  out  by  Land,  Friday  the  15  th,  the 
same  Providence,  which  had  protected  and  conducted  us, 
brought  us  without  any  Misfortune  to  Roan,  the  17th  of 
October,  the  same  Year. 

The  End  of  the  ]  OU  R^  Kl.  } 

1  The  concealment  of  the  fact  of  La  Salle's  death,  which  was  main- 
tained by  this  party  of  survivors,  until,  and  for  some  time  after,  their 
return  to  France,  gave  rise  to  an  heroic  manifestation  of  courage  and 
friendship,  by  the  Chevalier  Tonti,  who  had  been  left  in  charge  of 
Fort  Louis  on  the  Illinois. 

Although  they  had  been,  on  their  journey  northward,  to  Canada, 
the  guests  of  that  officer  at  Fort  St.  Louis,  from  September,  1687,  till 
the  end  of  February,  1688,  they  had  made  no  disclosure  of  that  fact. 
And,  it  was  not  until  some  months  later,  that  Tonti  heard  of  it,  from 
the  lips  of  one  of  his  own  men.  Couture  by  name,  who  had  been  left 
at  the  Arkansas,  and  who  had  been  told  of  it  by  the  Abbe  Cavelier  him- 
self. Meanwhile  Tonti  had  received  from  and  paid  over  to  his 
reverend  guest  an  order  from  La  Salle  for  over  2,500  livres  in  beaver 
and  supplies,  on  which  money  the  party  had  made  their  further  journey 
homeward. 

Learning  now,  for  the  first  time,  with  what  grief  and  indignation 
we  may  well  imagine,  of  the  death  of  his  beloved  friend  and  chief;  and 
also  that  the  Arkansas  Indians  were  anxious  to  join  with  the  French 
in  an  invasion  of  Mexico  —  which  information  was  also  followed  by  an 
official  notification  from  the  Governor  of  Canada,  that  war  had  again 
been  declared  against  Spain,  Tonti  decided  to  rescue,  if  possible,  the 
remaining  members  of  La  Salle's  party  on  the  Gulf  coast;  and,  by 
making  them  the  nucleus  of  a  small  army,  to  cross  the  Rio  Grande, 
and  thus  win  a  new  province  for  France. 

Leaving  the  fort  early  in  December,  in  a  canoe,  with  five  French- 
men, an  Indian  warrior  and  two  other  Indians,  he  reached  the  home 
of  the  Caddoes  in  Red  River,  by  the  last  of  March,  1688,  and  was 
preparing  to  push  on  to  a  village  eighty  miles  distant  in  search  of 
Hiens  and  his  companions,  when  he  was  left  almost  helpless  by  the 
refusal  of  all  his  men,  except  one  Frenchman  and  the  Indian  warrior,  to 
longer  pursue  the  tiresome  journey  they  had  thus  far  made.  But,  with 
the  two  faithful  ones,  he  pushed  on,  losing  nearly  all  their  ammunition 
in  crossing  a  river,  and  finding,  upon  reaching  the  village  where  he 
had  expected  to  find  them,  that  they  had  been  killed.  As  his  ammuni- 
tion was  lost,  and  the  Indians  refused  to  furnish  him  guides,  he  could 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  203 

The  Remainder  of  the  LETTER,  written  by  him  who 
revised  this  Journal^  the  other  Part  whereof  is  at 
the  Beginning  of  it,  this  being  the  Sequel  to  the  said 
Journal.  ^ 

THREE  several  Authors  have  given  an  Account  of  Note,  That 
this  Voyage ;  First,  Father  le  Clerk,  upon  the  Re-  *^^f^  ^^^^ 
lations  he  had  from  the  Fathers  Zenobius  and  Anastasius,  ^se  Parts, 
Recolets,  as  he  v^as  himself  and  both  of  them  Eye- Wit-  ^«f  ^^ne  of 
nesses :     Secondly,  The  Chevalier  Toftty,  w^ho  was  also  a  Ucular^' 
Witness  to  a  considerable  Part  of  those  Adventures :    And,  Voyage. 
Lastly,  Father  Hennepin,  a  Flemming,  of  the  same  Order 
of  the  Recolets,  has  done  it  more  largely ;  he  seems  to  be  well 

only  return  to  the  Arkansas  country  which  he  only  reached  by  the  end 
of  July,  after  traversing  a  flooded  country,  in  a  ceaseless  rain,  some- 
times by  wading,  sometimes  by  rafts,  breaking  their  way  with  hatchets 
through  the  inundated  cane  brakes,  and  finally  having  to  kill  and  eat 
their  dogs.  Even  Tonti,  the  hero  of  many  such  emergencies  of  travel, 
confessed,  "  I  never  in  my  life  suffered  so  much."  Then  followed  an 
attack  of  fever,  after  the  abatement  of  which  he  arrived  at  his  fort, 
in  September,  1689.  This  heroic  attempt  marks,  more  distinctly  than 
any  other,  the  character  of  Tonti,  who,  in  the  language  of  the  mis- 
sionary, St.  Cosmo,  who  traveled  under  his  escort  in  1699,  was 
"beloved  by  all  voyageurs  —  the  man  who  best  knows  the  country  — 
he  is  loved  and  feared  everywhere."  Tonti  was  a  robust  man  in 
appearance,  and  had  (as  has  been  already  said)  but  one  hand,  but  he 
truly  had  a  great  soul  within  him  —  Courageous,  generous  and  loyal. 
Though  holding  a  captain's  commission,  he  had,  as  late  as  1690,  never 
received  any  pay;  but  in  that  year  the  proprietorship  of  the  Fort  St 
Louis  of  the  Illinois  was  granted  to  him  jointly  with  La  Forest,  La 
Salle's  then  lieutenant  —  and  there  they  carried  on  a  fur  trade ;  and  in 
1699,  they  were  granted  further  privileges  of  trade,  by  a  royal  proclama- 
tion. In  1702,  a  royal  order  assigned  La  Forest  to  Canada,  and  Tonti 
to  residence  on  the  Mississippi.  Tonti,  in  that  year,  joined  D'Iberville 
in  Lower  Louisiana,  and  was  by  him  sent  to  secure  the  alliance  of  the 
Chickasaws.    His  after  career  or  the  time  of  his  death  are  unknown. 

Never  were  mutiny,  conspiracy  and  assassination  more  signally  and 
justly  followed  by  retribution  than  in  the  fate  of  these  miscreants 
who  had  murdered  La  Salle  —  as  graphically  portrayed  by  Parkman 
(La  Salle  &  the  Discovery  of  the  Great  West,  ii,  pp.  212-216.  Cham- 
plain  edition.)  Exiled,  by  their  own  deeds,  from  Canada;  in  fear  of 
their  Spanish  neighbors,  whose  dominion  they  had  invaded,  they  were 
finally  overwhelmed  by  an  Indian  attack,  many  of  them  butchered  and 
the  fort  laid  waste.  Compulsory  domestication  among  their  savage 
captors  was  the  fate  of  the  rest ;  and  when,  in  1689  the  Spanish  general 
Alonzo  de  Leon  visited  the  ruined  fort  of  St.  Louis  in  Texas,  they  were 
handed  over  to  him,  and  expiated  their  sins  in  the  naval  service  or 
prisons  of  Spain. 


204  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

acquainted  with  the  Country,  and  had  a  Share  in  great 
Discoveries;  but  the  Truth  of  his  Relations  is  much  con- 
troverted. It  was  he  who  went  to  the  Northward,  and 
towards  the  Source  of  the  Missisipi,  which  he  calls  Mecha- 
sipi,  and  who  printed,  at  Paris,  an  Account  of  the  Country 
about  the  River,  giving  it  the  Name  of  Louisiana,  He 
ought  to  have  stopp'd  there,  and  not  to  have  gone,  as  he 
did,  into  Holland,  to  set  forth  another  Edition,  very  much 
enlarged,  and  perhaps  not  so  true,  which  he  dedicated  to 
William  the  Third,  Prince  of  Orange,  and  afterwards  King 
of  Great  Britain.  An  Action  for  a  Religious  Man  no  less 
ridiculous  than  extravagant,  not  to  give  it  a  worse  Name; 
for  after  many  great  and  tedious  Encomiums  given  that 
Protestant  Prince,  he  exhorts  and  conjures  him  to  turn 
his  Thoughts  towards  those  vast  Countries,  as  yet  unknown, 
to  conquer  them  and  send  Colonies  thither,  to  make  known 
to  those  Savage  Nations  the  true  God  and  his  Worship,  and 
to  preach  the  Gospel.  That  good  Religious  Man,  whom 
many  have  falsly  thought,  on  Account  of  that  Extrava- 
gancy, to  have  renounced  his  Religion,  did  not  consider 
what  he  said,  and  consequently  has  scandaliz'd  the  Catho- 
licks,  and  furnish'd  the  Hugonots  with  Matter  of  Laugh- 
ter; for  it  is  likely,  that  they  being  Enemies  to  the  Roman 
Church,  would  employ  Recolets  to  go  preach  up  Popery,  as 
they  call  it  in  Canada  f  Or  would  they  introduce  any  other 
Religion  than  their  own?  Can  Father  Hennepin  be  ex- 
cuseable  in  this  Point? 

In  fine  it  appears,  by  all  that  has  been  writ  by  those  sev- 
eral Persons  concerning  that  Enterprize,  that  the  Murder 
committed  on  the  Person  of  Monsieur  de  la  Sale  was  the 
Occasion  of  its  miscarrying;  but  that  which  obstructed  the 
making  of  some  Provision  in  that  Case  was,  the  said  Mur- 
M.  de  la      ^^^^  being  conceal' d  for  the  Space  of  two  Years,  and  that 
Sale's  Fort  the  Spaniards  of  Mexico  having  been  inform'd  of  all  the 
/a/ Span-     Affair,  sent  Men,  who  carry 'd  off  the  weak  Garrison  Mon- 
iards.  sieur  de  la  Sale  had  left  in  the  Fort  built  by  him,  near  the 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  205 

Place  of  his  Landing,  before  he  penetrated  into  the  Coun- 
try, to  find  out  the  Missisipi.  They  also  entirely  raz'd  that 
Fort,  so  that  Seven  or  Eight  Years  elaps'd,  till  Monsieur 
de  Hihennllef^  Gentleman  of  Canada,  and  a  Person  of 
Capacity  and  Courage,  famous  for  his  notable  Expeditions 
to  Hudson's  Bay  and  other  Parts,  resolv'd  to  reassume  and 
revive  that  Project.  He  came  over  into  France  upon  that 
Design,  and  made  an  Armament  about  the  Year  1698,  set 
out  and  sail'd  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Being  an  able  Sea-  m.  de  Hi- 
man,  he  searched  along  the  Coast  so  narrowly,  that  he^^^^jj?'? 
found  the  Mouth  of  that  fatal  Missisipi  and  built  a  Fort  for  the  Mis- 
on  it,  leaving  Men  there,  with  a  good  Quantity  of  Ammu-  ^*^^p*- 
nition  and  Provisions,  and  returned  to  France,  intending 
to  go  back  with  a  Reinforcement,  as  he  did,  and  having 
penetrated  far  into  the  Country,  discover'd  several  Savage 
Nations,  and  joined  Friendship  and  Alliance  with  them,  as 
also  built  another  Fort,  which  he  left  well  stor'd  with  Men 
and  Necessaries,  returned  into  France;  but  attempting  a 
third  Voyage,  he  dy'd  by  the  Way,  and  thus,  for  want  of 
Relief  and  Support,  that  noble  Enterprize  miscarry'd  again. 
But  God  has  now  provided  for  it,  and  it  is  the  Concern 
of  Heaven,  for  if  France  is  interested  on  Account  of  the 
Temporal  Advantages  it  expects,  the  Church  is  so  in  like 
Manner,  for  the  Conversion  of  the  Indians  it  hopes  will 
follow.  Accordingly,  Providence  has  taken  the  Affair  in 
Hand,  having  rais'd  the  Man,  who  is  the  fittest  to  revive 
and  support  so  important  a  Project.  This  is  Monsieur 
Crozat,  Secretary  to  the  King,  a  Man  of  singular  Worth, 
very  Intelligent,  Well-meaning,  and  prodigiously  Rich,  who 
without  going  out  of  his  Closet,  has  been  the  Occasion  of 
many  notable  Voyages  by  Sea,  and  all  of  them  successful. 
To  him,  his  Majesty,  by  his  Letters  Patent,  bearing  Date 
the  14th  of  Septemh.  1712.  has  granted  the  sole  Power  to  J^/y^J°^** 
trade  and  settle  Colonies  in  the  Countries  described  in  this  plant  Colo- 
Journal,  and  which  are  known  to  us  by  the  Name  of  Louisi-  qy^^^*^^ 
ana  and  the  River  Missisipi,  from  hence  forward  to  be  caird  Louisiana. 


2o6         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

the  River  of  St.  Lezvis.  The  Grant  is  made  to  him  for  15 
Years,  under  several  Conditions  mentioned  in  the  said  Let- 
ters Patent,  which  have  been  made  publick. 

And  whereas  such  a  Grant  cannot  subsist  without  Blacks, 
he  is  also  allow'd  to  send  a  Ship  to  Guinea  to  purchase 
them.  They  may  perhaps  find  there  the  famous  Black 
Aniaga,  Brother  to  a  King  of  Guinea,  whom  Captain  Del- 
bee  brought  over  into  France,  above  Thirty  Years  ago. 
The  King  was  pleas'd  to  have  him  Educated,  Instructed 
and  Baptiz'd,  the  Dauphin'^  being  his  Godfather;  then  put 
him  into  his  Troop  of  Musquetiers,  and  afterwards  made 
him  a  Captain  in  his  own  Regiment,  where  he  serv'd  Hon- 
ourably. Being  desirous  to  see  his  own  Country  again, 
where  he  promis'd  to  promote  the  French  Trade,  and  the 
settling  of  Missioners,  his  Majesty  loaded  him  with  Pres- 
ents, and  order'd  a  Ship  to  carry  him  back  to  Guinea;  but 
as  soon  as  he  was  there,  he  no  longer  remember' d  he  had 
A  Black  been  baptiz'd,  and  turned  again  as  perfect  a  Black,  as  he 
Franc?  ^^^  ^^"  before.  A  Friend  of  mine,  who  was  an  Officer 
turns  to  his  aboard  a  Ship,  and  hapned  to  be  on  that  Coast  in  the  Year 
Customs.  ^7^^>  had  two  or  three  Interviews  with  that  Black,  who 
came  aboard  him.  He  was  a  great  Man  in  that  Country, 
for  his  Brother  was  King.  He  expressed  much  Gratitude 
for  the  Kindness  that  had  been  shewn  him  in  France,  and 
was  extraordinary  Courteous,  and  made  great  Offers  to 
those  aboard  the  Ship,  and  to  all  such  of  the  Nation  as 
would  go  into  Guinea. 

This  Navigation  to  Louisiana  will  farther  procure  us  a 
free  Resort  to  the  two  famous  Ports  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico, 
vis.  The  Havana  and  Veracruz,  where  Strangers  did  not 
use  to  be  admitted,  and  which  we  knew  only  by  their  Names 
and  their  Situation  in  our  Maps. 
•Veracruz  The  latter  of  those  Towns  is  the  Port  of  New  Spain,  at 

%^,^^'        the  Bottom  of  the  Bay  or  Gulf,  in  18  Degrees  of  North 
Latitude,    Seated    in    a    Sandy    Plain,    encompassed    with 

1  The  eldest  son  of  Louis  XIV,  who  had  died  a  year  or  two  before 
the  pubh'cation  of  the  Fr.  original  of  this  Journal.    C.  C.  ed. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  207 

Mountains;  beyond  which  there  are  Woods  and  Meadows, 
well  Stock'd  with  Cattle  and  wild  Fowl :  the  flesh  whereof 
is  stringy  and  tasteless.  The  Air  is  very  Hot,  and  not 
Healthy,  when  any  Winds  blow,  except  the  North,  which 
rises  commonly  once  in  Eight  or  Fifteen  Days,  and  holds 
for  the  Space  of  Twenty  Four  Hours,  blowing  so  hard, 
that  there  is  no  going  ashore  from  the  Ships,  and  then  the 
Cold  is  very  piercing.  When  the  Weather  is  clear  there 
plainly  appear,  on  the  Road  to  Mexico,  two  Mountains  ris- 
ing above  the  Clouds,  and  forty  Leagues  distant,  all  covered 
with  Snow.  The  Streets  of  Veracruz  are  streight  as  a 
Line;  the  Houses  are  handsome  and  regular;  the  Fortifica- 
tions next  the  Land  inconsiderable,  but  the  Front  of  the 
Town  next  the  Sea  forms  a  Semicircle,  with  a  little  Fort  at 
each  End.  Directly  before  that  Front,  a  Quarter  of  a 
League  out  at  Sea,  there  stands,  on  a  Spot  of  Ground,  in- 
accessible, by  Reason  of  the  Breaking  of  the  Sea,  a  strong 
Citadel,  well  built  and  furnished  with  all  Necessaries,  a 
good  Garrison  and  double  Batteries  of  two  hundred  Pieces 
of  brass  Cannon.  Ships  cannot  anchor  any  where,  but  be- 
tween that  Citadel  and  the  Town;  besides  that,  it  requires 
several  Precautions,  because  it  is  diflicult  coming  to  an 
Anchor. 

Most  of  the  Inhabitants  are  Mulattoes,  that  is  of  a  tawny 
dark  Colour,  who  live  most  upon  Chocolate  and  Sweet- 
meats, extraordinary  sober,  and  eating  little  Flesh.  The 
Men  are  haughty,  the  Women  keep  retired  above  Stairs, 
not  to  be  seen  by  Strangers,  and  seldoin  going  abroad,  and 
then  in  Coaches  or  Chairs,  and  those  who  cannot  reach  to 
it,  covered  with  fine  silk  Veils,  which  reach  from  the  Crown 
of  their  Heads  to  their  Feet,  leaving  only  a  small  Opening 
on  the  Right  Side,^  for  them  to  see  their  Way.  In  their 
own  Apartments  they  wear  nothing  but  a  Smock  and  a  silk 
Petticoat,  with  gold  or  silver  Laces,  without  any  Thing  on 
their  Heads,  and  their  Hair  platted  with  Ribbons,  a  gold 

1  Fr.  "  overture  au  droit  de  I'ceil  " —  opening  opposite  the  eye. 


2o8  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Chain  about  their  Neck,  Bracelets  of  the  same  and  Pendants 
of  Emeralds  in  their  Ears.  They  could  well  enough  like 
the  Behaviour  and  Company  of  the  French,  but  that  the 
jealous  Temper  of  the  Men  obstructs  them.  There  being  a 
Picture  of  Philip  King  of  Spain,  now  reigning,  aboard  the 
Ship  in  which  my  Friend  was,  who  gave  me  this  Account, 
the  People  swarm' d  aboard  to  see  it,  they  were  never  satis- 
fy'd  with  gazing  at  it,  and  there  was  a  most  magnificent 
Festival  kept  in  the  Town,  on  Account  of  the  Birth  of  the 
Prince  of  AsHiri<is. 

They  understand  Trade  very  well,  but  are  sloathful  and 
averse  to  Labour,  fond  of  State  and  Ease.  They  wear 
great  Strings  of  Beads  about  their  Necks,  their  Houses  are 
full  of  Pictures  and  Images  of  Devotion,  and  they  have 
little  that  is  real.  They  are  decently  furnish'd  with  Pur- 
celine  and  China  Goods.  The  Churches  are  magnificently 
adorned  with  Plate.  But  the  Lives  and  Manners  of  the 
Clergy  are  not  Edifying.  On  Holidays  and  Sundays  there 
is  no  Thought  of  Matins,  of  Sermon,  or  of  Vespers :  People 
chat  and  laugh  in  the  Churches  as  well  as  in  the  Processions, 
which  are  often  at  Night  by  the  Light  of  Torches. 

All  Strangers  are  forbid  Trading  there,  yet  some  come 
by  Stealth  and  deal  Underhand,  by  Means  of  Presents 
made  to  such  Persons  as  can  favour  them.  If  those  Mulat- 
toes  call  themselves  white,  it  is  only  to  honour  themselves 
and  by  Way  of  Distinction  from  their  Slaves,  who  are  all 
Blacks,  and  having  got  much  Mony  by  their  Labour,  ran- 
some  themselves  and  sometimes  become  considerable  Mer- 
chants. 
Mexico  The  City  of  Mexico,  Capital  of  the  Country  and  the  Resi- 

^•^^'  dence  of  the  Vice-roy,  is  about  eighty  Leagues  distant  from 

Veracruz,  to  the  Westward,  the  Way  to  it  very  bad  and  ill 
furnish'd  with  Provisions.  That  Country  would  be  better 
in  some  Parts,  if  the  people  had  the  skill  and  energy  to  till 
it.     They  sow  but  little  of  our  Wheat,  and  are  satisfied 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  209 

with  Indian  Corn^  and  Cassabi  Root,  whereof  they  make 
Cakes,  as  is  practis'd  in  the  Islands.  Their  Trees  and 
Fruits  are  the  same  as  in  other  hot  Countries.  About  the 
Town  of  Veracruz,  there  are  Bushes  of  a  Sort  of  Thorn, 
without  Leaves,  among  which  grows  an  extraordinary 
Plant ;  for  tho'  it  has  but  a  small  Stem,  it  shoots  out  Leaves 
of  a  Cabbage  Green,  as  thick  as  a  Man's  Finger,  which 
grow  out,  one  at  the  End  of  another,  in  the  Shape  of  a 
Racket,  and  the  Plant  itself  is  so  call'd.  From  those  Leaves 
there  grows  out  a  Sort  of  red  Figs,  very  juicy,  with  Seeds 
like  those  of  the  Pomgranate;  the  Juice  is  of  a  Violet 
Colour,  but  unsavoury.  There  is  a  Sort  of  Flies  that  cleave 
to  it  and  are  so  fond  of  the  Taste  of  the  Fruit,  that  they 
burst  and  drop  down  dead.  They  are  carefully  gathered 
and  dry'd,  and  are  the  Scarlet  Dye,  call'd  Cochinilla,  which 
is  brought  into  Europe,  and  makes  that  beautiful  Colour. 
The  Birds  and  Beasts  are  much  the  same  as  in  other  Coun- 
tries of  America.  There  is  a  Sort  of  Bird,  all  red,  which 
for  that  Reason  is  call'd  the  Cardinal ;  this  they  often  tame 
and  teach  to  sing  like  a  Canary  Bird.  This  is  what  I  have 
been  told  concerning  the  Town  of  Veracruz. 

As  for  the  Havana,  a  Town  and  Port  no  less  famous,  in  Havana, 
the  Island  of  Cuba,  belonging  as  well  as  the  other  to  the 
Crown  of  Spain,  it  stands  towards  the  Western  End,  and 
on  the  North  Side  of  that  Island,  almost  under  the  Tropick 
of  Cancer,  and  about  four  or  five  hundred  Leagues  on  this 
Side  of  Veracruz.  It  is  large  and  beautiful;  the  Port 
good,  secur'd  by  two  Forts  on  the  two  Sides,  and  good 
artillery,  from  twenty  four  to  thirty  six  Pounds,  the  En- 
trance so  narrow,  that  only  one  Vessel  can  go  in  at  once. 
The  Town  is  encompass'd  by  a  good  Wall,  fortify'd  with 
five  Bastions,  furnish'd  with  Cannon.  The  Streets  are  all 
as  strait  as  a  Line,  and  level,  the  Houses  very  handsome, 
but  ill  furnish'd.     In  the  Midst  of  it  is  a  fine  Square,  the 

1  Fr.  "  du  gros  mil " —  coarse  millet. 
14 


2IO         Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Buildings  about  all  uniform.     The  Churches  are  magnifi- 
cent, and  enrich'd  with  Gold  and  Silver,  Lamps,  Candle- 
sticks, and  Ornaments  for  the  Altars.      There  are  some 
Lamps    curiously    wrought,    which    weigh    two    hundred 
Marks  of  Silver,  [each  Mark  being  half  a  Pound. ]^    The 
Revenue  of  the  Bishoprick  amounts  to  more  than  fifty  thou- 
sand Crowns,  and  he  who  enjoy' d  it  in  the  Year  1703,  as  I 
was  informed  by  my  Friend,  who  gave  me  this  Account  of 
what  he  had  seen,  was  the  greatest  Ornament  of  that  City, 
for  his  Virtues  and  Charity,  being  satisfy 'd  with  Neces- 
saries, and  spending  all  the  rest  upon  the  Poor,  and  in  re- 
pairing decay'd  Churches.     Tho'  Strangers  are  prohibited 
to  trade  there,  yet  it  is  easier  carried  on  than  at  Veracruz, 
The  Inhabitants  are  more  familiar;  the  Women  have  more 
Liberty,  yet  they  do  not  go  Abroad  without  their  Veils  to 
wrap  and  hide  them.     Many  of  them  speak  French,  and 
dress  after  the  French  Fashion,  and  some  of  our  Nation 
have  settled  themselves  there.    When  my  Friend  was  there, 
a  magnificent  Festival  was  celebrated  for  fifteen  Days  suc- 
cessively, in  Honour  of  K.  Philip  the  Fifth,  and  Monsieur 
du  Casse  being  then  there,  with  his  Squadron,  the  City 
desir'd  him  to  join  with  them.     To  that  Purpose,  he  set 
ashore  five  himdred  Men,  who  perform'd  the  Martial  Ex- 
ercise  in   the   great    Square,    which   was   much   admir'd. 
The  Havana  is  the  Place,  where  the  Galeons  meet.     By 
this  word  should  not  be  understood  ships  of  extraordinary 
size;  for  most  of  them  are  but  very  inconsiderable  craft 
which  Spanish  vanity  strives  to  magnify  by  a  swelling 
name.     But  if  these  ships  are  not  great,  their  precious 
freight  is  so.     For  all  that,  this  city,  the  gateway  to  the 
treasures  of  the  West  Indies,  is  full  of  beggars  —  but  it  is 
by  their  own  fault,  and  by  their  idleness  that  they  are  such. 
Provisions  are  dear  there,  especially  Bread;  but  the  Wine 
is  not,  tho'  it  is  good.    Fish  and  Flesh  there,  are  unsavory. 
The  Inhabitants  are  Spaniards. 

1  Bracketed  words  not  in  the  French  original. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  211 

We  have  thought  fit  to  describe  those  two  famous  Ports 
of  the  Bay  of  Mexico,  as  well  because  it  has  not  been  so 
exactly  done  before,  as  in  Regard  that  the  Settlement  which 
is  going  to  be  made  in  Louisiana,  may  have  some  Depend- 
ance  on  them ;  for  the  Havana  lying  in  the  Way,  those  who 
perform  the  Voyage  may  have  the  Conveniency  of  taking 
in  Refreshments  there,  of  putting  in  for  Shelter  in  foul 
Weather,  and  of  careening  or  refitting.  As  for  the  Vera- 
crus,  tho'  farther  out  of  the  Way,  the  Correspondence  there 
may  be  advantagious  for  the  Securing  of  the  Colony  of 
Louisiana. 

But  how  can  that  fail  of  succeeding,  under  the  Conduct 
of  Monsieur  Crozat,  who  has  the  Charge  of  that  Enter- 
prize,  and  whom  Providence  seems  to  have  in  a  Manner 
ingag'd  to  advance  in  Wealth  and  Honour,  to  the  Amaze- 
ment of  the  World,  and  yet  free  from  Envy,  from  Jealousy, 
and  from  any  Sort  of  Complaints.  There  is  therefore  no 
Reason  to  presage  otherwise  than  well  of  the  Event  of 
this  Affair;  the  Blessings  God  has  pour'd  down  upon  all 
his  former  Undertakings,  seem  to  be  a  Security  for  what 
is  to  follow.  There  is  Reason  to  hope  for  still  greater 
Blessings  on  this  Project  of  a  Settlement  in  Louisiana,  as 
being  equally  advantagious  to  Religion  and  the  State;  for 
the  propagating  of  the  Knowledge  and  Service  of  God 
among  an  infinite  Number  of  Savages,  by  Means  of  the 
Missioners,  who  are  to  be  sent  to  and  maintained  in  those 
vast  Countries;  the  Planting  of  the  Faith  in  that  New 
World,  only  the  Name  whereof  is  known  to  us,  and  the 
Reducing  of  it  to  be  a  Christian  and  a  French  Province, 
under  the  Dominion  of  our  August  Monarch,  and  to  the 
eternal  Memory  of  his  Reign,  will  be  the  Consequences  and 
the  Fruits  of  Monsieur  Crozat's  Care  and  Expence,  the 
Glory  of  his  Enterprize,  the  Security  of  the  large  Fortune 
he  has  made  in  this  Life,  and  what  is  rare  among  such  rich 
Men,  the  Earnest  of  much  better  in  the  Next.  Heaven 
grant  our  Hopes  and  Wishes  may  be  answer'd. 

/  am,  &c. 


212  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

The  Letters  Patent  granted  by  the  King  of  France  to  M. 

Crozat. 

LOUIS,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  King  of  France  and 
Navarre:  To  all  who  shall  see  these  present  Letters, 
Greeting.  The  Care  we  have  always  had  to  procure  the 
Welfare  and  Advantage  of  our  Subjects  having  induced 
us,  notwithstanding  the  almost  continual  Wars  which  we 
have  been  obliged  to  support  from  the  Beginning  of  our 
Reign,  to  seek  for  all  possible  Opportunities  of  enlarging 
and  extending  the  Trade  of  our  American  Colonies,  We 
did  in  the  Year  1683  give  our  orders  to  undertake  a  Dis- 
covery of  the  Countries  and  Lands  which  are  situated  in 
the  Northern  Part  of  America,  between  New  France  and 
New  Mexico :  And  the  Sieur  de  la  Sale,  to  whom  we  com- 
mitted that  Enterprise,  having  had  Success  enough  to  con- 
firm a  Belief  that  a  Communication  might  be  settled  from 
New  France  to  the  Gulph  of  Mexico  by  Means  of  large 
Rivers;  This  obliged  us  immediately  after  the  Peace  of 
Ryswick  to  give  Orders  for  the  establishing  a  Colony  there, 
and  maintaining  a  Garrison  which  has  kept  and  preserved 
the  Possession,  we  had  taken  in  the  very  Year  1683  ^/  ^^^ 
Lands,  Coasts  and  Islands  which  are  situated  in  the  Gulph 
of  Mexico,  between  Carolina  on  the  East,  and  Old  and  New 
Mexico  on  the  West,  But  a  new  War  having  broke  out 
in  Europe  shortly  after,  there  was  no  Possibility,  till  now, 
of  reaping  from  that  new  Colony  the  Advantages  that  might 
have  been  expected  from  thence,  because  the  private  Men, 
who  are  concerned  in  the  Sea  Trade,  were  all  under  Engage- 
ments with  other  Colonies,  which  they  have  been  obliged 
to  follow:  And  whereas  upon  the  Information  we  have 
received  concerning  the  Disposition  and  Situation  of  the 
said  Countries  known  at  present  by  the  Name  of  the 
Province  of  Louisiana,  we  are  of  Opinion  that  there  may 
be  established  therein  a  considerable  Commerce,  so  much 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  213 

the  more  advantageous  to  our  Kingdom  in  that  there  has 
hitherto  been  a  Necessity  of  fetching  from  Foreigners  the 
greatest  Part  of  the  Commodies  which  may  be  brought  from 
thence,  and  because  in  Exchange  thereof  we  need  carry 
thither  nothing  but  Commodities  of  the  Growth  and  Manu- 
facture of  our  own  Kingdom;  we  have  resolved  to  grant 
the  Commerce  of  the  Country  of  Louisiana  to  the  Sieur 
Anthony  Crozat  our  Councellor,  Secretary  of  the  House- 
hold, Crown  and  Revenue,  to  whom  we  entrust  the  Execu- 
tion of  this  Project.  We  are  the  more  readily  inclined 
hereunto,  because  his  Zeal  and  the  singular  Knowledge  he 
has  acquired  in  maritime  Commerce,  encourage  us  to  hope 
for  as  good  Success  as  he  has  hitherto  had  in  the  divers 
and  sundry  Enterprizes  he  has  gone  upon,  and  which  have 
procured  to  our  Kingdom  great  Quantities  of  Gold  and 
Silver  in  such  Conjunctures  as  have  rendered  them  very 
welcome  to  us. 

FOR  THESE  REASONS  being  desirous  to  shew  our 
Favour  to  him,  and  to  regulate  the  Conditions  upon  which 
we  mean  to  grant  him  the  said  Commerce,  after  having 
deliberated  this  Affair  in  our  Council,  Of  our  certain  Knowl- 
edge, full  Power  and  Royal  Authority,  We  by  these 
Presents,  signed  by  our  Hand,  have  appointed  and  do  ap- 
point the  said  Sieur  Crozat  solely  to  carry  on  a  Trade  in  all 
the  Lands  possessed  by  Us,  and  lx>unded  by  New  Mexico, 
and  by  the  Lands  of  the  English  of  Carolina,  all  the  Estah- 
lishment,  Ports,  Havens,  Rivers,  and  principally  the  Port, 
and  Haven  of  the  Isle  Dauphine,  heretofore  called 
Massacre;  the  River  of  St.  Lewis,  heretofore  called  Mis- 
sisipi,  from  the  Edge  of  the  Sea  as  far  as  the  Illinois;  to- 
gether with  the  River  of  St.  Philip,  heretofore  called  the 
Missourys,  and  of  St.  Jerome,  heretofore  called  Ovabache, 
with  all  the  Countries,  Territories,  Lakes  within  Land,  and 
the  Rivers  which  fall  directly  or  indirectly  into  that  Part  of 
the  River  of  St.  Lewis. 


214  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

The  A  R  T  I  C  L  E  S. 

I.  Our  Pleasure  is,  that  all  the  aforesaid  Lands,  Coun- 
tries Streams,  Rivers  and  Islands  be  and  remain  comprised 
under  the  Name  of  The  Government  of  Louisiana,  which 
shall  be  dependant  upon  the  General  Government  of  New 
France,  to  which  it  is  subordinate;  and  further,  that  all  the 
Lands  which  we  possess  from  the  Islinois  be  united,  so  far 
as  Occasion  requires,  to  the  General  Government  of  New 
France,  and  become  Part  thereof,  reserving  however  to 
Ourselves  the  Liberty  of  enlarging  as  We  shall  think  fit  the 
Extent  of  the  Government  of  the  said  Country  of  Louisiana. 

II.  We  grant  to  the  said  Sieiir  Crozat  for  Fifteen  suc- 
cessive Years,  to  be  reckoned  from  the  Day  of  Inrolling 
these  presents,  a  Right  and  Power  to  transport  all  Sorts  of 
Goods  and  Merchandize  from  France  into  the  said  Country 
of  Louisiana,  and  to  traffick  thither  as  he  shall  think  fit. 
We  forbid  all  and  every  Person  and  Persons,  Company  and 
Companies  of  what  Quality  or  Condition  soever,  and  under 
any  Pretence  whatever,  to  trade  thither,  under  Penalty  of 
Confiscation  of  Goods,  Ships,  and  other  more  severe  Punish- 
ments, as  Occasion  shall  require ;  for  this  Purpose  we  order 
our  Governours  and  other  Ofificers  -commanding  our  Troops 
in  the  said  Country  forcibly  to  abet,  aid  and  assist  the  Di- 
rectors and  Agents  of  the  said  Sieur  Crozat. 

III.  We  permit  him  to  search  for,  open  and  dig  all  Sorts 
of  Mines,  Veins  and  Minerals  throughout  the  whole  Extent 
of  the  said  Country  of  Louisiana,  and  to  transport  the 
Profits  thereof  into  any  Port  of  France  during  the  said 
Fifteen  Years;  and  we  grant  in  Perpetuity  to  him,  his 
Heirs,  and  others  claiming  under  him  or  them,  the  Prop- 
erty of,  in  and  to  the  Mines,  Veins  and  Minerals  which  he 
shall  bring  to  bear,  paying  us,  in  Lieu  of  all  Claim,  the  Fifth 
Part  of  the  Gold  and  Silver  which  the  said  Sieur  Crozat 
shall  cause  to  be  transported  to  France  at  his  own  Charges 
into  wha.t  Port  he  pleases,  (of  which  Fifth  we  will  run  the 
Risque  of  the  Sea  and  of  War,)   and  the  Tenth  Part  of 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA. 


215 


what  Effects  he  shall  draw  from  the  other  Mines,  Veins 
and  Minerals,  which  Tenth  he  shall  transfer  and  convey 
to  our  Magazines  in  the  said  Country  of  Louisiana. 

We  likewise  permit  him  to  search  for  precious  Stones  and 
Pearls,  paying  us  the  Fifth  Part  in  the  same  Manner  as  is 
mentioned  for  the  Gold  and  Silver. 

We  will  that  the  said  Sieur  Crozat,  his  Heirs,  or  those 
claiming  under  him  or  them  the  perpetual  Right,  shall  for- 
feit the  Propriety  of  the  said  Mines,  Veins  and  Minerals, 
if  they  discontinue  the  Work  during  three  Years,  and  that 
in  such  Case  the  said  Mines,  Veins  and  Minerals  shall  be 
fully  reunited  to  our  Domaine,  by  Virtue  of  this  present 
Article,  without  the  Formality  of  any  Process  of  Law,  but 
only  an  Ordinance  of  Re-union  from  the  Subdelegate  of 
the  Intendant  of  New  France,  who  shall  be  in  the  said  Coun- 
try, nor  do  we  mean  that  the  said  Penalty  of  Forfeiture 
in  Default  of  working  for  three  Years,  be  reputed  a  Com- 
minatory  Penalty. 

IV.  The  said  Sieur  Crosat  may  vend  all  such  Merchan- 
dize, Goods,  Wares,  Commodities,  Arms,  and  Ammunition 
as  he  shall  have  caused  to  be  transported  into  the  said 
Country  and  Government  of  Louisiana,  as  well  to  the 
French,  as  Savages  who  are  or  shall  be  there  setled;  nor 
shall  any  Person  or  Persons  under  any  Pretence  whatso- 
ever be  capable  of  doing  the  like  without  his  Leave  ex- 
pressed in  Writing. 

V.  He  may  purchase  in  the  said  Country,  all  Sorts  of 
Furs,  Skins,  Leather,  Wool,  and  other  Commodities  and 
Effects  of  the  said  Country,  and  transport  them  to  France 
during  the  said  Fifteen  Years :  And  as  our  Intention  is  to 
favour,  as  much  as  we  can,  our  Inhabitants  of  New  France, 
and  to  hinder  the  Lessening  of  their  Trade,  we  forbid  him 
Trafficking  for  Castor  in  the  said  Country  under  any  Pre- 
tence whatsoever ;  nor  to  Convey  any  from  thence  into  our 
Kingdom  or  Foreign  Countries. 

VI.  We  Grant  to  the  Sieur  Crozat,  his  Heirs  or  those 
claiming  under  him  or  them,  the  Property  of,  in  and  to  all 


2i6  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

Settlements  and  Manufactories  which  he  shall  erect  or  set 
up  in  the  said  Country  for  Silk,  Indigo,  Wooll,  Leather, 
Mines,  Veins  and  Minerals,  as  likewise  the  Property  of,  in 
and  to  the  Lands  which  he  shall  cause  to  be  Cultivated, 
with  the  Mansions,  Mills,  and  Structures  which  he  shall 
cause  to  be  built  thereon,  taking  Grants  thereof  from  Us, 
which  Grants  he  shall  obtain  upon  the  Verbal  Process  and 
Opinion  of  our  Governor  and  of  the  Subdelegate  of  the 
Intendant  of  New  France  in  the  said  Country,  to  be  by  him 
Reported  unto  Us. 

We  will  that  the  said  Sieur  Crozat,  his  Heirs,  or  those 
claiming  under  him  or  them,  shall  keep  in  Repair  the  said 
Settlements,  Manufactures,  Lands  and  Mills;  and  in  De- 
fault thereof  during  the  Space  of  three  Years,  he  and  they 
shall  Forfeit  the  same,  and  the  said  Settlements,  Manu- 
factories, Lands  and  Mills  shall  be  Reunited  to  our  Domaine 
fully  and  amply,  and  in  the  same  Manner  as  is  mentioned 
above  in  the  Third  Article  concerning  the  Mines,  Veins  and 
Minerals. 

VIL  Our  Edicts,  Ordinances  and  Customs,  and  the 
Usages  of  the  Mayoralty  and  Shreevalty  of  Paris,  shall  be 
observed  for  Laws  and  Customs  in  the  said  Country  of 
Louisiana. 

VIIL  The  said  Sieur  Crozat  shall  be  obliged  to  send  to 
the  said  Country  of  Louisiana  Two  Ships  every  Year,  which 
he  shall  cause  to  set  out  in  the  proper  Season,  in  each  of 
which  Ships  he  shall  cause  to  be  imbark'd,  without  paying 
any  Freight,  25  Tun  of  Victuals,  Effects  and  necessary 
Ammunition,  for  the  Maintenance  of  the  Garrison  and 
Forts  of  the  Louisiana]  and  in  Case  we  should  cause  to  be 
laden  above  the  said  25  Tun  in  each  Ship,  we  consent  to 
pay  the  Freight  to  the  said  Sieur  Crozat,  at  the  common 
Merchantile  Rates. 

He  shall  be  oblig'd  to  convey  our  Officers  of  Louisiana 
in  the  Ships  which  he  shall  send  thither,  and  to  furnish 
them  with  Subsistance  and  a  Captain's  Table  for  30  Sols 
per  Day,  which  we  will  cause  to  be  paid  for  each. 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  217 

He  shall  likewise  give  Passage  in  the  said  Ships,  to  the 
Soldiers,  which  we  shall  please  to  send  to  the  said  Country ; 
and  we  will  cause  the  necessary  Provisions  for  their  Sub- 
sistance  to  be  furnished  to  him,  or  will  pay  him  for  them  at 
the  same  Price  as  is  paid  to  the  Purveyor-General  of  our 
Marine. 

He  shall  be  furthermore  oblig'd  to  send  on  Board  each 
Ship,  which  he  shall  cause  to  set  out  for  the  said  Country, 
Ten  young  Men  or  Women,  at  his  own  Election. 

IX.  We  will  cause  to  be  delivered  out  of  our  Magazines 
to  the  said  Sieur  Crozat,  loooo  Weight  of  Gunpowder  every 
Year,  which  he  shall  pay  us  for  at  the  Price  that  it  shall 
cost  us,  and  this  for  so  long  Time  as  the  present  Privilege 
shall  last. 

X.  The  Wares  and  Merchandize  which  the  said  Sieur 
Crosat  shall  consign  to  the  said  Country  of  Louisiana  shall 
be  exempt  from  all  Duties  of  Exportation,  laid  or  to  be  laid, 
on  Condition,  that  his  Directors,  Deputies  or  Clerks,  shall 
engage  to  give  within  the  Space  of  a  Year,  to  be  reckoned 
from  the  Date  thereof,  a  Certificate  of  their  Unlading  in  the 
said  Country  of  Louisiana ;  under  Penalty,  in  Case  of  Con- 
travention, to  pay  the  Quadruple  of  the  Duties,  reserving 
to  our  selves  the  Power  of  giving  him  a  longer  Respite  in 
such  Cases  and  Occurrences  as  we  shall  think  proper. 

XL  And  as  for  the  Goods  and  Merchandize,  which  the 
Sieur  Crozat  shall  cause  to  be  brought  from  the  said  Coun- 
try of  Louisiana,  and  upon  his  Account,  into  the  Ports  of 
our  Kingdom,  and  shall  afterwards  cause  to  be  transported 
into  Foreign  Countries,  they  shall  pay  no  Duties  either  of 
Importation  or  Exportation,  and  shall  be  deposited  in  the 
Custom-House,  Warehouses  of  Ports  where  they  shall  ar- 
rive, until  they  be  taken  away ;  and  when  the  Deputies  and 
Clerks  of  the  said  Sieur  Crozat  shall  be  minded  to  cause 
them  to  be  transported  in  Foreign  Countries,  either  by  Sea 
or  Land,  they  shall  be  oblig'd  to  give  Security  to  bring 
within  a  certain  Time,  a  Certificate  from  the  last  Office, 


2i8  Monsieur  de  la  Sale's  Second  Voyage 

containing  what  they  Exported  there,  and  another  Certifi- 
cate of  their  unlading  in  Foreign  Countries. 

XII.  In  Case  the  said  Sieur  Crozat  be  obliged,  for  the 
furtherance  of  his  Commerce  to  fetch  from  Foreign  Coun- 
tries some  Goods  and  Merchandize  of  Foreign  Manufacture, 
in  order  to  TRANSPORT  them  into  the  said  Country 
of  Louisiana.  He  shall  make  Us  Acquainted  therewith,  and 
lay  before  Us  States  thereof ;  upon  which  we,  if  we  think  fit, 
will  Grant  him  our  Particular  Permission  with  Exemptions 
from  all  Duties  of  Importation  and  Exportation,  Provided 
the  said  Goods  and  Merchandize  be  Deposited  afterwards 
in  our  Custom-House  Ware-houses  until  they  be  Laden  in 
the  Ships  of  the  said  Sieur  Crozat,  who  shall  be  obliged 
to  bring  in  one  Year,  to  be  reckoned  from  the  Day  of  the 
Date  hereof,  a  Certificate  of  their  unlading  in  the  said 
Country  of  Louisiana,  under  Penalty,  in  Case  of  Contra- 
vention, to  pay  quadruple  the  Duties :  Reserving  to  our 
selves,  in  like  Manner,  the  Liberty  of  granting  to  the  said 
Sieur  Crozat,  a  longer  Respite,  if  it  be  necessary. 

XIII.  The  Feluccaes,  Canoes,  and  other  Vessels  belong- 
ing to  us,  and  which  are  in  the  said  Country  of  Louisiana, 
shall  serve  for  loading,  unloading  and  transporting  the  Ef- 
fects of  the  said  Sieur  Crozat,  who  shall  be  bound  to  keep 
them  in  good  Condition,  and  after  the  Expiration  of  the 
said  Fifteen  Years  shall  restore  them,  or  a  like  Number  of 
equal  Bulk  and  Goodness,  to  our  Governor  in  the  said 
Country. 

XIV.  If  for  the  Cultures  and  Plantations  which  the 
said  Sieur  Crozat  is  minded  to  make  he  finds  it  proper  to 
have  Blacks  in  the  said  Country  of  the  Louisiana,  he  may 
send  a  Ship  every  Year  to  trade  for  them  directly  upon  the 
Coast  of  Guinea,  taking  Permission  from  the  Guinea  Com- 
pany so  to  do,  he  may  sell  those  Blacks,  to  the  Inhabitants 
of  the  Colony  of  Louisiana)  and  we  forbid  all  other  Com- 
panies and  Persons  whatsoever,  under  any  Pretence  what- 
soever, to  introduce  Blacks  or  Traffick  for  them  in  the  said 


Into  NORTH  AMERICA.  219 

Country,  nor  shall  the  said  Sieur  Crozat  carry  any  Blacks 
else  where. 

•XV.  He  shall  not  send  any  Ships  into  the  said  Country 
of  Louisiana  but  directly  from  France,  and  he  shall  Cause 
the  said  Ships  to  Return  thither  again;  the  whole  under 
Pain  of  Confiscation  and  Forfeiture  of  the  Present 
Priviledge. 

XVI.  THE  said  Sieur  Crozat  shall  be  obliged,  after  the 
Expiration  of  the  first  nine  Years  of  this  Grant,  to  Pay  the 
Officers  and  the  Garrison  which  shall  be  in  the  said  Country 
During  the  Six  last  Years  of  the  Continuance  of  this 
Present  Priviledge:  The  said  Sieur  Crozat  may  in  that 
Time  propose  and  nominate  the  Officers,  as  Vacancies  shall 
fall,  and  such  Officers,  shall  be  Confirmed  by  us,  if  we  ap- 
prove of  them. 

Given  at  FONTAINBLEAU  the  Fourteenth  Day  of  Sep- 
tember in  the  Year  of  Grace  1712.  And  of  Our  Reign  the 
70th. 

SIGNED  LOUIS  ^ 

By  the  KING 

PHELIPEAUX.&c. 

Registered  at  PARIS  in  the  Parliament,  the  Four  and  Twentieth 
of  September,  1712. 


Discovery  of  the  Mississippi. 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL    ACCOUNT    OF   THE    TRAVELS    OF    NICOLET,    ALLOUEZ,    MAR- 
QUETTE,   HENNEPIN,   AND  LA    SALLE    IN   THE    MISSISSIPPI  VALLEY. 

The  pioneer  of  French  travellers  to  the  country  west  of  the  great 
lakes,  and  the  first  white  man  who  is  reputed  to  have  reached  a  northern 
tributary  of  the  Mississippi,  was  Jean  Nicolet,  who  in  1634,  or  there- 
abouts, made  treaties  with  the  Indians  at  Green  Bay,  and  ascended 
Fox  River. 

The  "  Relation  de  ce  qui  s'est  passe  en  la  Novvelle  France,  1640," 
Paris,  1641,  gives  the  earliest  indication  of  this  voyage,  and  a  summary 
description  is  given  in  the  Relation  of  1642-43.  These  reports  are 
reprinted  in  the  "  Relation  des  Jesuites,"  vol.  i.,  Quebec,  1858.  Margr/s 
"  Decouvertes  et  etablissements  des  Frangais,"  vol.  i.,  pp.  47-53,  con- 
tains the  portions  of  the  above  which  refer  to  Nicolet,  and  a  translation 
of  the  account  in  the  Relation  of  1640  is  printed  in  Smith's  "History 
of  Wisconsin,"  vol.  iii.  Du  Creux's  "  Historia  Canadensis,"  Paris,  1664, 
gives  the  first  connected  history  of  the  life  and  exploits  of  this  explorer. 
A  translation  of  Du  Creux's  narrative  is  appended  to  Butterfield's 
"  History  and  Discovery  of  the  Northwest,  by  John  Nicolet,"  Cincinnati, 
1881. 

Shea  states,  in  his  "Discovery  and  Exploration  of  the  Mississippi," 
that  Nicolet  descended  the  Wisconsin  to  the  Mississippi.  This  opinion 
was  adopted  by  Parkman  in  his  "  Jesuits  in  North  America,"  p.  166,  but 
his  later  judgment  is  given  in  the  "  Discovery  of  the  Great  West."  A 
more  careful  examination  of  the  evidence  demonstrates  the  improbability 
that  his  travels  extended  farther  than  the  Wisconsin,  and  in  the  opinion 
of  Butterfield,  the  latest  writer  upon  this  voyage,  he  did  not  reach  that 
river,  but  stopped  at  the  country  of  the  Mascoutins  upon  Fox  River. 

Benjamin  Suite,  a  Canadian  historical  writer,  in  writing  upon  Nicolet, 
in  his  "Melanges  d'Histoire  et  de  Litterature,"  Ottawa,  1876,  shows, 
for  the  first  time,  that  this  journey  was  probably  made  in  1634,  instead 
of  1638  or  1639,  as  before  thought. 

Suite's  article  with  notes  by  L.  C  Draper,  is  printed  in  the  "  Wiscon- 
sin Historical  Society  Collections,"  vol.  viii.,  pp.  188-194;  also  in  the 
"  Canadian  Antiquarian,"  vol,  viii.,  pp.  157-164. 

Butterfield,  who  has  carefully  investigated  the  records,  agrees  with 
Suite  in  assigning  1634  as  the  true  date,  and  brings  out  additional,  if 
not  conclusive  evidence  to  support  this  theory,  in  his  monograph  cited 

[221] 


222  Discovery  of  the  Mississippi, 

above.  Margry,  in  the  "  Journal  de  I'lnstruction  publique,"  1862,  under 
the  caption,  "Les  Normands  dans  les  Vallees  de  I'Ohio  et  du  Missis- 
sipi,"  describes  Nicolet's  travels  and  Gravier's  "  Decouvertes  et  etablis- 
sements  de  la  Salle ;"  Harrisse's  "  Notes  pour  servir  a  I'Histoire  [etc.] 
de  la  Nouvelle  France,"  and  Parkman's  "La  Salle,"  also  give  some 
account  of  the  expedition. 

In  1642  Jogues  and  Raymbault,  two  missionaries,  penetrated  as  far 
west  as  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  at  the  outlet  of  Lake  Superior.  See  account 
of  this  mission  in  the  Jesuit  Relation  of  1642.  Margry's  Collection, 
vol.  i.,  pp.  45-47,  contains  a  reprint  of  the  narrative  of  this  journey. 
See  also  Shea's  Charlevoix,  vol.  i.,  p.  137,  for  notice  of  the  undertaking. 

The  next  recorded  visit  to  the  West  is  that  of  two  French  traders, 
who  wintered  upon  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior  in  1658.  See  the  Jesuit 
Relation  of  1659-60,  and  the  extract  in  Margry's  Collection,  vol.  i.,  pp. 
53~55>  and  translation  in  Smith's  Wisconsin,  vol.  iii.,  p.  20.  Father 
Menard  began  a  mission  at  St.  Theresa  Bay,  Lake  Superior,  in  1661. 
See  Lallemant's  letter  in  the  Relation  of  1662-63.  A  translation  of  this 
letter  is  in  Smith's  Wisconsin,  vol.  iii.  See  also  Perrot's  "  Memoire  sur 
les  moeurs  des  sauvages,"  Paris,  1864;  Shea's  Charlevoix,  vol.  i.,  p.  49, 
and  a  note  by  Shea  in  Historical  Magazine,  vol.  viii.,  p.  175.  Menard's 
letter,  written  just  before  his  departure  for  Lake  Superior,  with  notes 
by  E.  D.  Neill,  may  be  found  in  the  "  Minnesota  Historical  Society  Col- 
lections," vol.  i.,  pp.  I35~i38. 

In  1665,  Claude  Alloiiez,  another  missionary,  began  a  mission  at 
Chegoimegon,  Lake  Superior.  See  the  journal  of  his  travels  in  Le 
Mercier's  Relation  of  1666^7,  a  translation  of  which  is  in  Smith's  Wis- 
consin, vol.  iii.  Marquette  took  charge  of  this  mission  in  1669,  and 
Alloiiez  went  to  the  Baie  des  Puantes  (Green  Bay),  and  in  1670  made 
a  visit  to  the  Mascoutins  on  Fox  River.  Harrisse  thinks  he  crossed  to 
the  Wisconsin  at  this  time.  In  reporting  his  operations,  Alloiiez  de- 
scribes the  "  Messi-sipi "  from  information  given  by  the  Indians.  See 
Dablon's  Relation  of  1669-70,  p.  100.  Translation  in  Smith's  "  Wis- 
consin," vol.  iii. 

Alloiiez  spent  many  years  among  tke  Indians  upon  Green  Bay,  and 
in  the  Illinois  country.  See  the  Jesuit  Relations  covering  the  years 
i669r-79.  The  full  titles  of  these  Relations  are  given  in  chronological 
order  in  Harrisse's  "  Notes  pour  servir  a  I'Histoire  [etc.]  de  la  Nouvelle 
France."  Dr.  Shea  printed  in  the  Cramoisy  series  the  abridged  Rela- 
tions for  1672-79,  and  Martin's  "  Mission  du  Canada  "  prints  them  for 
the  first  time  in  full.  Shea  gives  a  life  of  Alloiiez  in  his  "  Discovery  and 
Exploration  of  the  Mississippi."  See  also  notes  upon  him  in  Margry's 
Decouvertes,  etc.,  vol.  i.,  pp.  57-72;  also  in  Bancroft,  in  Shea's  Charle- 
voix, vol.  iii.,  and  in  Shea's  "  Catholic  Missions  in  the  United  States." 
Gravier  and  Parkman  also  give  some  account  of  his  travels. 


Discovery  of  the  Mississippi.  223 

In  June,  1671,  St.  Lusson,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  number  of  In- 
dians, took  possession  of  the  country  on  the  lakes  in  the  name  of 
France.  The  "  Proces  verbal "  of  the  ceremony  is  in  Margry,  vol.  i., 
pp.  96  et  seq. 

Perrot,  a  noted  Canadian  voyageur,  in  1670-71  travelled  along  the 
shores  of  Green  Bay.  Perrot's  journal,  which  records  the  daily  events 
of  his'  life  among  the  Indians  from  1665  to  1726,  was  edited  for  the 
first  time  at  Paris,  in  1864,  by  Father  Tailhan.  It  is  entitled  "  Memoires 
sur  les  moeurs  et  coustumes  et  relligion  [sic]  des  sauvages  de  TAmer- 
ique  septentrionale."  Tailhan's  notes  add  value  to  the  work.  See 
regarding  Perrot,  Shea's  Charlevoix,  vol.  iii.,  p.  165,  and  Historical 
Magazine^  vol.  ix.,  p.  205. 

A  description  of  the  geography  of  the  country  as  known  previous  to 
the  exploration  of  the  Mississippi  by  Joliet  and  Marquette  is  given  by 
Dablon  in  the  "  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France,  les  annees  1670  et  1671," 
Paris,  1672.  See  the  Quebec  reprint  in  "  Relation  des  Jesuites,"  vol.  iii. 
The  Relation,  as  printed  in  1672,  gave  a  map  of  the  great  lakes;  for  a 
description  of  which  see  Parkman's  "La  Salle,"  p.  450. 

In  1673  Jacques  Marquette  and  Louis  Joliet  navigated  the  Mississippi 
in  canoes  to  the  Arkansas.  Father  Marquette's  narrative  of  the  voyage, 
in  an  imperfect  form,  was  published  by  Thevenot  in  his  "  Recueil  de 
Voyages,"  Paris,  1681.  Thevenot  also  published  it  as  an  independent 
work,  with  the  title,  "  Voyage  et  decouverte  de  quelques  pays  et  nations 
de  I'Amerique  septentrionale."  In  this  latter  shape  it  was  reproduced 
by  Rich,  at  Paris,  in  1845.  The  map  accompanying  this  version,  and 
which  is  inserted  in  fac-simile  in  Bancroft,  is  said  not  to  be  by  Mar- 
quette. The  authentic  map  was  first  published  in  Shea's  "  Discovery  and 
Exploration  of  the  Mississippi,"  where  the  two  maps  are  compared.  The 
Thevenot  text  appears  translated  in  French's  "  Historical  Collections 
of  Louisiana,"  pt.  2,  pp.  279-297,  and  Spark's  "  Life  of  Marquette,"  in  the 
"  Library  of  American  Biography,"  vol.  x.,  is,  in  a  measure,  a  transla- 
tion of  it. 

Marquette's  complete  journal,  prepared  for  publication,  in  1678,  by 
Claude  Dablon,  Superior  of  the  Canadian  Missions,  remained  inedited 
until  Shea  published  it  in  his  "Discovery  and  Exploration  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi," New  York,  1853,  giving  the  original  text  and  a  translation. 
This  version,  known  as  the  Ste.  Marie  text,  was  reprinted  in  1855, 
with  important  annotations,  by  Shea,  under  the  title,  "Recit  des  voy- 
ages et  des  decouvertes  du  R.  P.  J.  Marquette,  en  I'annee  1673,  et  aux 
suivantes;  la  continuation  de  ses  voyages  par  C.  Alloiiez,  et  le  journal 
autographe,  du  P.  Marquette  en  1674  et  i675-"  [Albanie:  Imprimerie 
de  Weed,  Parsons  et  Cie.]  1855  (10),  169  (2),  pp.  Map,  i2mo.  Martin's 
"  Mission  du  Canada,  Relations  inedites  (1672-1679),"  vol.  ii.,  contains  a 
modified  version  of  the  Ste.  Marie  text.    Hennepin's  spurious  "New 


224  Discovery  of  the  Mississippi, 

Discovery,"  London,  1698  and  1699,  has,  as  an  appendix,  a  poor  trans- 
lation of  the  Thevenot  production. 

JoHet,  while  on  his  way  to  Montreal  to  report  his  discoveries,  lost  his 
memoranda  and  maps.  He  was  enabled,  however,  to  draw  up  a  brief 
recital  from  memory,  which,  with  a  map,  he  presented  to  Frontenac 
in  1674. 

Two  versions  of  this  narrative  are  printed  in  Margry's  Collection, 
vol.  i.,  pp.  259-270.  Dablon  despatched  to  his  Superior  at  Paris  an 
account  derived  from  Joliet's  verbal  testimony,  which  may  be  found 
printed  in  Martin's  "  Mission  du  Canada,"  vol.  i.,  pp.  193-204.  A  trans- 
lation is  given  in  the  Historical  Magazine,  vol.  v.,  pp.  237-239.  A  letter 
sent  by  Joliet  from  Quebec,  October  10,  1674,  briefly  recounts  his  late 
adventures.  It  may  be  found  in  Harrisse's  "  Notes  pour  servir  a 
I'Histoire  [etc.]  de  la  Nouvelle  France,"  pp.  322  and  323.  A  narrative 
based  upon  Joliet's  report  is  appended  to  Hennepin's  "  New  Discovery," 
London,  1698. 

Joliet  made  several  maps,  showing  his  discoveries,  only  one  of  which 
has  been  edited.  Gravier's  "  Etude  sur  une  carte  inconnue,  la  premiere 
dressee  par  L.  Joliet  en  1674,"  contains  a  fac-simile  of  the  map  in  ques- 
tion. A  letter  from  the  discoverer  to  Frontenac  is  inscribed  upon  it. 
Gravier  considers  this  map,  apparently  with  good  reason,  to  be  the 
earliest  representation  of  the  course  of  the  Mississippi  from  personal 
knowledge. 

Frontenac's  letter  announcing  the  successful  result  of  Joliet's  mission 
is  printed  in  Margry,  vol.  i.,  p.  257,  and  a  translation  is  inserted  in  the 
"  New  York  Colonial  Documents,"  vol.  ix.,  p.  116.  See  the  following 
for  notices  of  Joliet :  Faillon's  "  Histoire  de  la  Colonie  frangaise  en 
Canada,"  vol.  iii. ;  Ferland's  "  Notes  sur  les  registres  de  Notre-Dame ;" 
Margry's  articles  in  the  Revue  Canadienne,  December,  1871,  January, 
March,  1872.  French's  Historical  Collections,  second  series,  has  a  brief 
biography.  The  works  hereafter  cited  upon  the  history  of  the  discovery 
of  the  Mississippi  necessarily  include  a  history  of  the  Marquette- Joliet 
expedition. 

We  now  come  to  La  Salle,  Hennepin,  and  Tonty,  1669-87.  Margry's 
"Decouvertes  et  etablissements  des  Frangais  dans  I'Ouest  et  dans  le 
sud  de  I'Amerique  septentrionale,  1614-1698,"  Paris,  1879-81,  contains 
the  documents  which  the  editor  collected  in  the  archives  of  France. 
This  work  now  comprises  four  large  octavo  volumes,  three  of  which  are 
mainly  devoted  to  documents  upon  La  Salle's  explorations.  The  con- 
tents of  these  three  volumes  are  arranged  under  the  following  heads: 
ire  partie,  "  Voyages  des  Frangais  sur  les  grands  lacs  et  Decouverte  de 
rOhio  et  du  Mississipi  (1614-1684)  ;"  2me  partie,  "Lettres  de  La  Salle;" 
3me  partie,  "Recherche  des  bouches  du  Mississipi  (1669-1698)."  The 
more  important  of  these  papers  are  indicated  hereafter  in  their  chrono- 


Discovery  of  the  Mississippi.  225 

logical  order.  The  fourth  volume  of  this  collection  embraces  the  docu- 
ments relating  to  D'Iberville's  colony,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi, 
169&-1703. 

In  1669  La  Salle,  accompanied  by  Dollier  and  Gallinee,  set  out  from 
Montreal  to  discover  the  Mississippi.  They  proceeded  in  company  to 
the  western  extremity  of  Lake  Ontario.  At  this  place  La  Salle,  pro- 
fessing illness,  parted  from  the  missionaries,  ostensibly  to  return  to 
Montreal.  Dollier  and  Gallinee  continued  their  journey  along  the 
northern  shores  of  Lake  Erie,  thus  taking  a  course  hitherto  untravelled, 
and  reached  Sault  Ste.  Marie  in  May,  1670,  having  spent  the  winter  on 
the  shores  of  Lake  Erie.  Gallinee's  journal,  entitled  "Recit  de  ce  qui 
s'est  passe  de  plus  remarquable  dans  le  voyage  de  MM.  Dollier  et 
Gallinee,"  is  printed  in  Margry,  vol.  i.,  pp.  1 12-166.  The  Abbe  Faillon, 
who  first  discovered  the  records  of  this  journey,  gives  a  synopsis  of 
Gallinee's  recital,  with  a  fac-simile  of  his  map,  in  the  third  volume  of 
his  "  Histoire  de  la  Colonie  frangaise  en  Canada." 

O.  M.  Marshall's  pamphlet,  entitled  "  The  First  Visit  of  La  Salle  to 
the  Senecas,"  Buffalo,  1874,  contains  a  textual  translation  of  this  docu- 
ment. The  Societe  historique,  of  Montreal,  published  in  1875  an  edition 
of  this  journal,  with  notes  by  the  Abbe  Verreau.  Margry  prints  in  his 
collection,  vol.  i.,  pp.  342-402,  a  narrative  which  he  calls  "  Recital  d'un 
ami  de  I'Abbe  de  Gallinee."  This  purports  to  be  notes,  taken  by  the 
writer,  who  Margry  thinks  was  the  Abbe  Renaudot,  of  conversations 
had  with  La  Salle  at  Paris  in  1678,  in  which  he  recounted  his  adven- 
tures in  Canada  from  1667  to  1678.  In  it  is  stated  that  after  leaving 
Dollier  and  Gallinee,  instead  of  going  to  Montreal,  La  Salle  kept  on 
until  he  reached  the  Ohio,  and  later  went  to  the  Mississippi  by  way  of 
the  Illinois.  Parkman  prints  extracts  from  this  paper  in  his  "Dis- 
covery of  the  Great  West,"  but  does  not  credit  it  wholly;  he,  however, 
admits  that  La  Salle  discovered  the  Ohio,  and  most  likely  the  Illinois. 
It  is  upon  this  document,  that  Margry  bases  his  claim  that  La  Salle  was 
the  first  to  reach  the  Mississippi. 

The  following  writers  take  issue  with  Margry:  Brucker,  "J.  Mar- 
quette et  la  Decouverte  du  Mississipi,"  Lyon,  1880,  and  in  the  "  Etudes 
religieuses,"  vol.  v. ;  Harrisse,  in  "  Notes  pour  servir  a  I'Histoire  [etc.] 
de  la  Nouvelle  France,"  Paris,  1872;  in  an  article  entitled  "Histoire 
critique  de  la  Decouverte  du  Mississipi,"  in  the  Revue  maritime  et 
coloniale,  vol.  xxxii,  pp.  642-663. 

Shea,  in  whom  Margry  finds  perhaps  his  most  strenuous  opponent, 
discusses  the  question  in  an  address  read  on  the  bi-centennial  of  Mar- 
quette's voyage,  published  in  the  "Wisconsin  Historical  Society  Col- 
lections," vol.  vii.,  pp.  111-122.  He  has,  however,  published  a  pamphlet, 
in  which  he  examines  the  matter  more  in  detail,  entitled  "  The  Bursting 
of  P.  Margry's  La  Salle  Bubble,"  New  York,  1879.    Tailhan,  in  notes 

15 


226  Discovery  of  the  Mississippi. 

to  Perrot,  and  the  Abbe  Verreau  in  his  edition  of  Gallinee's  journal, 
also  refute  Margry.  Colonel  Whittlesey's  tract,  forming  No.  38  of  the 
Western  Reserve  Historical  Society's  publications,  entitled  "Discovery 
of  the  Ohio  by  La  Salle,  1669-70,"  is  an  inquiry  upon  the  subject.  Mar- 
gry presents  his  arguments  in  full,  in  articles  upon  "  Les  Normands 
dans  les  vallees  de  TOhio  et  du  Mississippi,"  published  in  the  Journal 
general  de  I'Instruction  publique,  Paris,  1862.  See  also  a  paper  by 
him  in  the  Revue  maritime  et  coloniale,  vol.  xxxiii.,  pp.  555-559;  his 
pamphlet,  "La  Priorite  de  La  Salle  sur  le  Mississipi,"  Paris,  1873;  a 
letter  in  the  American  Antiquary,  vol.  i.,  pp.  206-209,  Chicago,  1880,  and 
in  remarks  in  the  preface  to  his  "  Decouvertes  et  etablissements  des 
Frangais,"  vol.  i. 

Gravier  in  his  "Decouvertes  de  La  Salle,"  Paris,  1870,  in  the 
"  Compte  rendu  of  the  Congres  des  Americanistes,"  1877,  pt.  i.,  pp.  237- 
312,  and  in  The  Magazine  of  American  History,  vol.  viii.,  p.  305,  sup- 
ports the  Margry  theory. 

In  August,  1679,  La  Salle  having  completed  his  arrangements  and 
obtained  letters  patent  from  the  king  for  another  attempt  upon  the 
Mississippi,  set  sail  in  the  Griffon,  upon  Lake  Erie,  and  arrived  at 
Michillimackinac  about  two  weeks  later.  The  Illinois  was  reached 
in  January,  1680,  but  owing  to  adverse  circumstances.  La  Salle  being 
compelled,  for  want  of  supplies  and  other  causes,  to  make  twice  the 
journey  between  the  Illinois  and  Canada,  the  exploration  of  the 
Mississippi  was  not  accomplished  until  April,  1682.  The  adventures  of 
La  Salle's  party  upon  the  great  lakes  and  in  the  Illinois  country,  pre- 
vious to  the  voyage  down  the  Mississippi  in  1682,  are  recounted  with 
minute  detail  in  the  "  Relation  des  Descouvertes  et  des  Voyages  du 
Sieur  de  La  Salle,  1679-81,"  printed  in  Margry's  Collection,  vol.  i.,  pp. 

435-594. 

Margry  considers  this  paper  to  be  the  official  report  drawn  up  by  the 
Abbe  Bernou  from  La  Salle's  letters.  The  account  of  the  journey  to 
Fort  Crevecceur  in  1679-80,  given  in  this  narrative,  is  nearly  identical 
with  the  description  of  the  same  voyage  in  Hennepin's  "  Description  de 
la  Louisiane."  For  this  reason  Margry  charges  Hennepin  with  plagi- 
ary, which  calls  out  a  defence  of  the  latter  by  Shea,  in  his  edition  of 
Hennepin's  "Louisiana,"  where  the  two  narratives  are  compared. 
Membre's  journal  in  Le  Clercq's  "  Premier  'fitablissement  de  la  Foy," 
Paris,  1691,  which  is  reproduced  in  English  in  Shea's  "  Discovery  and 
Exploration  of  the  Mississippi,"  and  Tonty's  Memoirs,  which  will  be 
more  fully  described  farther  on,  also  report  this  stage  of  the  explora- 
tions. Hennepin's  spurious  "  Nouvelle  Decouverte "  also  contains  an 
account,  which  does  not  differ  materially  from  that  given  in  the 
"  Description  de  la  Louisiane."  ♦ 

Mathieu  Sagean,  who  claimed  to  have  been  with  La  Salle  in  1679-80, 
dictated  from  memory,  in  1701,  a  report  of  his  adventures  in  Canada. 


Discovery  of  the  Mississippi,  227 

See  Parkman's  La  Salle,  p.  658,  concerning  Sagean's  pretensions.  Shea 
published  Sagean's  narrative  in  1863,  with  the  title,  "  Extrait  de  la 
Relation  des  avantures  et  voyage  de  M.  Sagean." 

In  February,  1680,  Hennepin,  by  La  Salle's  orders,  set  out  from 
Fort  Crevecceur  for  the  upper  Mississippi.  He  ascended  that  river  to 
the  Sioux  country,  and  discovered  St.  Anthony's  Falls.  Hennepin's 
first  work,  "  Description  de  la  Louisiane,"  Paris,  1683,  relates  the 
events  of  this  expedition,  and  also  gives  an  account  of  La  Salle's 
journey  from  Canada  to  the  Illinois  in  1679-80.  Shea  gives  in  his 
"Discovery  and  Exploration  of  the  Mississippi"  the  portion  of  this 
work  relating  the  voyage  to  the  upper  Mississippi.  Hennepin's  works 
are  held  in  disrepute,  owing  to  undoubted  plagiarisms  and  falsifications 
which  characterize  some  of  them.  Shea,  however,  shows  in  the  preface 
to  his  edition  of  the  "  Description  of  Louisiana,"  New  York,  1880,  that 
this  charge  applies  only  to  the  "  Nouvelle  Decouverte  "  and  "  Nouveau 
Voyage,"  and  other  works  made  up  from  these  two  last,  and  that  they 
were  probably  published  without  Hennepin's  sanction.  Parkman  agrees 
with  Shea  in  considering  the  "  Description  de  la  Louisiane  "  to  be  an 
authentic  work. 

For  criticisms  upon  Hennepin,  see  Sparks'  "  La  Salle ;"  Parkman's 
"  Discovery  of  the  Great  West ;"  Harrisse's  "  Notes  pour  servir  a 
I'Histoire  [etc.]  de  la  Nouvelle  France,"  p.  145;  and  the  preface  to 
Margry's  Decouvertes,  etc.  Shea's  early  judgment  upon  Hennepin, 
which  he  has  modified  as  indicated  above,  is  given  in  his  "  Discovery 
and  Exploration  of  the  Mississippi."  E.  D.  Neill,  in  a  pamphlet 
entitled  "  The  Writings  of  L.  Hennepin,"  lately  published  by  the 
Minnesota  Historical  Society,  dissents  from  Shea's  exculpation  of  Hen- 
nepin, and  declares  that  no  evidence  has  been  produced  to  clear  him 
from  the  charge  of  plagiary. 

The  bi-centenary  of  Hennepin's  discovery  of  St.  Anthony's  Falls 
was  celebrated  by  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society  in  1880,  and  the 
proceedings  on  the  occasion  will  be  reported  in  the  next  volume  of  its 
collections.  The  account  of  a  pretended  voyage  by  Hennepin  down  the 
Mississippi,  taken  from  the  spurious  "  New  Discovery,"  London,  1698, 
is  inserted  in  "  French's  Historical  Collections,"  part  i.,  pp.  195-222 ; 
also  in  volume  one  of  the  "Archaeologia  Americana,"  published  by  the 
American  Antiquarian  Society.  The  latter  work  also  contains  an 
account  of  La  Salle's  last  voyage,  taken  from  the  same  unreliable 
source. 

Shea's  edition  of  Hennepin's  "  Louisiana  "  contains  a  bibliography  of 
the  numerous  memoirs,  issued  under  Hennepin's  name,  where  also  may 
be  found  a  translation  of  La  Salle's  letter  of  August,  1682,  reporting  the 
voyage  on  the  upper  Mississippi.  Du  L'hut,  who,  in  1679,  visited  the 
Sioux  near  Lake  Superior,  and  later  descended  the  St.  Croix  to  the 
Mississippi  and  rescued  Hennepin  from  the  Sioux,  gives  an  account 


228  Discovery  of  the  Mississippi. 

of  his  adventures  in  a  "  Memoire  sur  la  Decouverte  du  pays  des 
Nadouecioux  dans  le  Canada,"  which  is  printed  in  Harrisse's  Notes, 
pp.  177-181,  and  translated  in  Shea's  Hennepin. 

The  "  Proces  verbal  de  prise  de  possession  de  la  Louisiane,  a  I'em- 
bouchure  de  la  mer  ou  Golphe  du  Mexique,  9  avril,  1682,"  in  Margry, 
vol.  ii.,  pp.  186-193,  gives  the  principal  incidents  of  the  voyage  down 
the  Mississippi  from  the  Illinois.  This  document  may  also  be  found  in 
Gravier's  "  La  Salle,"  and  in  English  in  Sparks'  "  Life  of  La  Salle," 
also  in  French's  "Historical  Collections,"  part  i.,  and  with  the  title, 
"  Narrative  of  the  Expedition  of  La  Salle  to  explore  the  (Mississippi) 
Colbert  River,  in  1682,"  in  French's  Historical  Collections,  second  series, 
pp.  17-27,  New  York,  1875. 

La  Salle's  letter,  written  at  the  junction  of  the  Missouri  and  Missis- 
sippi Rivers,  printed  in  Margry,  vol.  ii.,  pp.  164-180,  a  translation  of 
which  is  given  in  The  Magazine  of  American  History,  vol.  ii.,  pp.  619- 
622,  describes  the  journey  to  the  Missouri. 

The  proces  verbal  of  the  act  of  taking  possession  at  the  Arkansas, 
March  13  and  14,  1682,  in  Margry,  vol.  ii.,  p.  181,  reports  another  stage 
of  the  voyage.  Membre's  journal  of  the  entire  expedition,  first  printed 
in  Le  Clercq's  "  fitablissement  de  la  Foy,"  Paris,  1691,  is  reproduced  in 
English  in  Shea's  "Discovery  of  the  Mississippi."  Shea  has  lately 
brought  out  an  English  translation  of  Le  Clercq  under  the  title,  "  First 
Establishment  of  the  Faith  in  New  France,"  New  York,  1881,  two 
vols.  8vo.  He  there  compares  Membre's  narrative  with  Hennepin's 
"  Nouvelle  Decouverte "  and  "  Nouveau  Voyage,"  and  also  points  out 
the  variations  between  it  and  the  account  published  by  Thomassy  in  his 
'*  Geologic  pratique  de  la  Louisiane." 

Thomassy's  document  is  entitled,  "  Relation  de  la  Decouverte  de 
I'embouchure  de  la  Riviere  Mississipi."  Parkman  considers  it  to  be 
the  "official  report  of  the  discovery  made  by  La  Salle,  or  perhaps  for 
him  by  Membre,"  and  says  that  the  Le  Clercq  narrative  is  based  upon  it. 
To  which  Shea  replies,  that  it  "  seems  strange  to  assume  that  the 
fuller  document  given  by  Le  Clercq  must  be  drawn  from  a  shorter 
form." 

The  two  documents  are  essentially  identical,  and  afford  trustworthy 
data  upon  the  voyage. 

According  to  Boimare,  a  manuscript  copy  of  Membre's  journal  exists 
in  the  library  at  Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana. 

Henri  de  Tonty,  who  was  with  La  Salle  from  1678-83,  reports  the 
explorations  during  that  time,  in  a  memoir  written  at  Quebec  in  1684, 
which  is  published  for  the  first  time  in  Margry,  vol.  i.,  pp.  571-616. 
Another  narrative  by  him,  entitled  "  Memoire  envoye  en  1693  sur  la 
Decouverte  du  Mississipi,  par  de  La  Salle  en  1678,  et  depuis  sa  mort 
par  le  sieur  de  Tonty,"  is  printed  in  its  integrity  in  Margry's  "  Rela- 
tions et  Memoires  inedits,"  pp.  1-36,  Paris,  1867.     A  translation  of  it 


Discovery  of  the  Mississippi.  229 

is  included  in  French's  "  Historical  Collections,"  part  i.,  pp.  52-83, 
and  also  in  Falconer's  "  Mississippi,"  London,  1844.  These  two  memoirs 
formed  the  basis  of  the  work  published  under  Tonty's  name,  but  which 
he  disavowed,  entitled  "  Dernieres  decouvertes  dans  I'Amerique  septen- 
trionale  de  M.  de  La  Salle,"  Paris,  1697. 

This  work  was  reproduced  under  the  title  of  "  Relation  de  la 
Louisianne"  in  Bernard's  "  Recueil  de  voyages  au  Nord,"  Amsterdam, 
1720  and  1724. 

An  English  translation  was  published  at  London  in  1698,  with  the 
title,  "An  Account  of  La  Salle's  Last  Expedition  and  Discoveries,"  and 
is  reproduced  in  part  in  the  New  York  Historical  Society  Collections, 
vol.  ii.,  pp.  217-341. 

Parkman  says  that  the  "Dernieres  decouvertes"  is  "a  compilation 
full  of  errors." 

Margry  prints  in  vol.  i.,  pp.  547-570,  of  his  Collection,  a  memoir 
entitled  "Recit  de  la  descouverte  que  M.  de  La  Salle  a  faite  de  la 
riviere  de  Mississipi  en  1682."  The  author  of  the  paper  was  Nicolas  de 
La  Salle,  who  wrote  it  in  1699,  at  the  request  of  the  French  authorities, 
to  serve  as  a  guide  to  D'Iberville  in  his  search  for  the  Mississippi. 
Margry  says  that  the  writer  bore  no  relationship  to  the  discoverer. 

La  Salle's  memorial  of  1684,  proposing  an  expedition  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  printed  in  Margry,  vol.  iii.,  pp.  17-30,  and  in  French's  "  Historical 
Collections,"  part  i.,  pp.  37-44,  also  in  the  second  series  of  French's 
publication,  and  in  Falconer's  "  Mississippi,"  briefly  indicates  his  dis- 
coveries up  to  that  time. 

The  French  documents,  collected  by  Brodhead  in  the  archives  of  the 
Departments  of  Marine  and  of  War,  and  printed  in  the  ninth  volume  of 
the  "  Documents  relative  to  the  Colonial  History  of  New  York,"  Albany, 
1855,  include  official  correspondence  which  reports  the  movements  of 
the  explorers  from  time  to  time. 

Shea  promises  an  edition  of  a  journal  by  Peiialossa,  which  will  show 
the  mercenary  motives  which  inspired  La  Salle.  Margry  prints  some 
documents  concerning  Peiialossa's  propositions  to  lead  a  party  of  buc- 
caneers from  St.  Domingo  to  unite  with  La  Salle  in  an  attack  on  the 
Spanish  mines  in  New  Mexico. 

LA  SALLE's  voyage  TO  THE  GULF  OF  MEXICO  AND  ATTEMPT  TO  DISCOVER  THE 
MISSISSIPPI — 1684-87 

In  1683  La  Salle  returned  to  France  and  presented,  in  two  memorials 
to  the  king,  propositions  for  an  expedition  to  colonize  the  Mississippi, 
and  take  possession  of  the  Spanish  mines  in  New  Mexico.  The  first 
memorial,  which  gives  a  brief  account  of  his  previous  achievements,  is 
in  Margry's  Collection,  vol.  iii.,  pp.  17-30.  A  translation  is  in  French's 
"Historical  Collections,"  part  i.,  pp.  37-44;  also  in  the  second  series, 


230  Discovery  of  the  Mississippi. 

pp.  1-15,  of  the  same  publication,  and  in  Falconer's  "  Mississippi."  The 
second,  which  defines  his  schemes  at  greater  length,  is  printed  in  Mar- 
gry,  vol.  ii.,  pp.  359-369;  in  English,  in  French's  "Historical  Collec- 
tions," part  i.,  pp.  25-34.  The  accessory  official  documents  relating  to 
various  features  and  stages  of  the  expedition  are  included  in  the  second 
and  third  volumes  of  Margry's  Collection.  We  have  two  narratives  by 
members  of  this  expedition,  which  relate  its  history  from  the  time  of 
departure  from  France  down  to  and  after  the  death  of  La  Salle.  The 
first  to  appear  in  print  was  Douay's,  which  was  published  by  Le  Clercq 
in  his  "  Premier  fitablissement  de  la  Foy,"  Paris,  1691.  Shea  printed 
a  translation  of  it  in  the  "  Discovery  and  Exploration  of  the  Mississippi," 
New  York,  1853.^  A  comparison  of  Douay's  journal  with  Joutel's 
narrative  is  made  by  Shea  in  his  edition  of  Le  Clercq,  published  at 
New  York  in  1881. 

Joutel,  who  seems  to  have  been  next  in  command  to  La  Salle,  kept  a 
journal,  which  is  published  for  the  first  time  in  its  integrity  in  Margry's 
Collection,  vol.  iii.,  pp.  89-534.  An  abridged  and  modified  version  of 
this  narrative  was  published  at  Paris  in  1713,  under  the  title,  "  Journal 
historique  due  dernier  Voyage  que  feu  M.  de  La  Salle,  fit  dans  le 
Golfe  du  Mexique."  Joutel  complained  that  changes  were  made  by  the 
editor  in  retouching  the  work  for  publication.  The  text  published  by 
Margry  is  much  fuller  than  the  printed  edition.  An  English  translation 
of  the  Paris  production,  under  the  title,  "Journal  of  the  Last  Voyage 
performed  by  M.  de  La  Salle,"  etc.,  was  published  at  London  in  1714, 
and  in  1719  another  edition  was  brought  out  as  "  Joutel's  Journal  of  his 
Voyage  to  Mexico  and  Canada."  An  edition  in  Spanish  was  published 
at  New  York  in  1831,  with  the  title,  "  Dario  historic©  del  ultimo  Viaje 
que  M.  de  la  Salle  hi  jo  para  descubrir  el  desembocadero  y  curso  del 
Mississipi."  Charlevoix  says  that  Joutel  was  the  most  reliable  of  La 
Salle's  followers,  and  Parkman  thinks  that  he  "  gives  the  impression  of 
sense,  intelligence,  and  candor  throughout,"  while  Douay,  in  the  latter's 
opinion,  did  not  always  write  honestly.  Jean  Cavelier,  an  older  brother 
of  La  Salle's,  who,  after  the  latter's  assassination,  escaped  to  Canada 
in  company  with  Joutel  and  Douay,  is  said  to  have  drawn  up  a  report 
of  the  expedition  for  M.  de  Seignelay,  the  Minister  of  Marine. 

Parkman  possesses  a  manuscript  which  he  says  is  a  portion  of  the 
first  draft  of  this  report.  Dr.  Shea  edited  Parkman's  document  under 
the  title,  "  Relation  du  voyage  entrepris  par  feu  M.  Robert  Cavelier, 
sieur  de  La  Salle,  pour  decouvrir  dans  le  golfe  du  Mexique,  Tembou- 
chure  du  fleuve  de  Missisipy.  Par  son  frere,  M.  Cavelier"  A  Manate 
[N.  Y.]  1858,  54  pp.  i6mo,  and  printed  a  translation  in  his  collection  of 
"Early  Voyages  up  and  down  the  Mississippi,"  Albany,  1861.2 

1  Reprinted,  Albany,   1903,  edition  of  five  hundred  copies. 

2  Reprinted,  Albany,  1902,  five  hundred  copies. 


Discovery  of  the  Mississippi.  231 

Margry  gives  in  his  Collection,  vol.  ii.,  pp.  501-509,  a  portion  of  a 
journal  kept  by  Cavelier.  Both  these  narratives  from  Cavalier's  pen 
are  very  imperfect,  the  former  failing  for  the  latter  part  of  the  expedi- 
tion, and  the  journal  stops  before  the  landing  in  Texas.  La  Salle's 
assassination,  which  took  place  in  1687,  was  witnessed  by  Douay,  who 
gives  an  account  in  his  journal.  Joutel  relates  the  event  from  the 
testimony  of  eye-witnesses,  and  Tonty  states  what  he  learned  from  the 
survivors  of  La  Salle's  party.  See  also  "  Relation  de  la  mort  du  Sr.  de 
La  Salle,  suivant  le  rapport  d'un  nomme  Couture  a  qui  M.  Cavelier 
I'apprit  en  passant  aux  Akansas,"  in  Margry,  vol.  iii.,  pp.  601-606. 

A  letter  written  by  La  Salle,  March  4,  1685,  erroneously  dated  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  is  in  Margry,  vol.  ii.,  pp.  559-563,  and  a 
translation  is  appended  to  Shea's  "  Early  Voyages."  The  "  Proces  ver- 
bal fait  par  La  Salle  avant  de  conduire  son  frere  au  Mississipi,  18. 
avril  1686,"  in  Margry,  vol.  iii.,  pp.  535-549,  relates  La  Salle's  operations 
in  Texas,  including  his  first  two  journeys  from  the  Texas  colony  to  find 
the  Mississippi  by  land. 

The  Spaniards,  in  1689,  visited  the  site  of  La  Salle's  colony,  and 
made  prisoners  of  the  survivors  whom  they  found  among  the  Indians. 
Two  of  these  captives  escaped  to  France,  and  their  testimony  in  regard 
to  the  fate  of  the  colony  is  given  in  Margry,  vol.  iii.,  pp.  610-621. 

Parkman  cites  the  official  journal  of  this  Spanish  expedition,  which  is 
inedited.  It  is  entitled  "  Derrotero  de  la  Jornada  que  hizo  el  General 
Alonzo  de  Leon  para  el  descubrimiento  de  la  Bahia  del  Espiritu  Santo, 
y  problacion  de  Franceses."  Buckingham  Smith's  "  Colleccion  de 
varios  documentos  para  la  historia  de  la  Florida,"  pp.  25-28,  contains 
a  narrative  by  a  member  of  the  Spanish  company,  entitled  "  Carta  en 
que  se  da  noticia  de  un  viaje  hecho  a  la  Bahia  de  Espiritu  Santo,  y  de 
la  poblacion  que  tenian  ah  los  Franceses,"  which  is  also  inserted  in 
French's  "  Historical  Collections,"  second  series,  pp.  293-295.  Barcia, 
in  his  "  Ensayo  chronologico  para  la  historia  general  de  la  Florida," 
Madrid,  1723,  gives  an  account,  from  an  unknown  source,  which  is 
translated  in  Shea's  "Discovery  of  the  Mississippi." 

This  closes  the  list  of  principal  contemporary  narratives  of  the  first 
explorations  by  the  French  of  western  territory.  Margry's  Collection 
contains  many  documents  of  minor  interest,  but  important,  which  have 
not  been  noted.  A  journal  by  Minet,  the  engineer  who  returned  to 
France  with  Beaujeau  in  1686,  in  Margry,  vol.  11,  pp.  589-601,  and 
Tonty's  "Lettres  sur  ce  qu'il  a  appris  de  La  Salle,  le  voyage  qu'il  a 
fait  pour  Taller  chercher,"  1686-1689,  in  Margry,  vol.  iii.,  pp.  551-564, 
must,  however,  be  mentioned. 

SECONDARY    AUTHORITIES. 

Charlevoix's  "Histoire  et  Description  generale  de  la  Nouvelle 
France,"  Paris,  1744,  is  the  first  historical  work  of  value  to  treat  of 


232  Discovery  of  the  Mississippi. 

the  early  explorations.  Charlevoix  was  familiar  with  the  country 
traversed  by  Marquette  and  La  Salle,  having,  in  1721,  followed  the 
latter's  route  to  the  Mississippi.  Shea  published  at  New  York,  in 
1866--67,  an  English  translation  of  this  work,  and  in  the  notes  which 
he  added,  embodied  the  results  of  his  extensive  studies  upon  the  early 
history  of  America,  showing  the  latest  knowledge  possessed  of  the 
first  travellers. 

In  1844  Sparks  issued  his  "Life  of  La  Salle,"  for  the  materials  of 
which  he  depended  upon  the  printed  narratives  of  Hennepin,  Joutel, 
Tonty,  and  the  recitals  in  Le  Clercq's  "  Premier  :£tablissement,"  etc., 
being  unable  to  obtain  any  of  the  MSS.  which  are  now  accessible. 
Sparks'  "Life  of  Marquette"  appeared  in  1845,  and  soon  after  Fal- 
coner's work  "On  the  Discovery  of  the  Mississippi,"  which  contained 
translations  of  important  MSS.,  was  published  at  London. 

In  1853,  Shea's  valuable  "  Discovery  and  Exploration  of  the  Miss- 
issippi" was  brought  out  at  New  York.^  The  contents  of  this  work 
have  been  perhaps  sufficiently  indicated  in  the  notices  of  contemporary 
journals,  which  are  reproduced  in  it.  In  i860  Thomassy  published 
"Geologic  pratique  de  la  Louisiane,"  in  which  he  presented  some 
important  inedited  documents.  This  writer  contemplated  writing  a 
history  of  La  Salle's  exploits  from  the  MSS.  in  the  French  archives, 
and,  as  a  preliminary,  issued  in  separate  form  the  documents  which  he 
had  collected,  under  the  title,  "  De  La  Salle  et  ses  relations  inedites," 
Paris,  i860.  In  1869  Parkman  published  the  first  edition  of  his  "Dis- 
covery of  the  Great  West,"  forming  the  third  volume  of  the  series  of 
historical  narratives  upon  "France  and  England  in  North  America." 
In  the  latest  edition,  published  in  1879,  the  title  was  changed  to  "  La 
Salle  and  the  Discovery  of  the  Great  West."  In  the  writing  of  the 
later  edition  the  author  had  the  use  of  additional  documentary  material, 
since  printed  by  Margry,  which  caused  a  revision  of  some  portion  of 
the  work.  Gravier's  "Decouvertes  [etc.]  de  La  Salle,"  Paris,  1870, 
and  the  supplementary  monograph  published  by  him  in  1871,  add  little 
that  is  not  in  Parkman's  work.  The  later  publication  corrects  some 
errors  and  deficiencies  in  the  first.  Dr.  Shea's  contributions  to  the 
history  of  the  first  explorations  of  the  West,  beside  his  "  Discovery 
of  the  Mississippi,"  New  York,  1853,  consist  mainly  of  notes  to  the 
many  important  original  narratives  which  he  has  edited,  notably  those 
of  Hennepin,  Le  Clercq,  and  Charlevoix. 

The  following  works  contain  among  the  first  travellers,  accounts  of 
the  country  traversed  by  Marquette,  Hennepin,  and  La  Salle : 

La  Hontan,  who  travelled  in  1689  and  subsequent  years,  wrote 
"Nouveaux  Voyages,"  Paris,  1703.  This  work  passed  through  several 
editions.     Although  adventures   related  by  La  Hontan  are   in  many 

*New  edition,  Albany,  1903. 


Discovery  of  the  Mississippi,  233 

cases  imaginary,  yet,  says  Parkman,  he  "  had  seen  much,  and  portions 
of  his  story  have  a  substantial  value."  J.  Gravier,  in  1700,  went  from 
the  Illinois  country  to  D'Iberville's  colony  in  Louisiana.  See  "  Relation 
de  Voyage  en  1700  depuis  le  Ilinois  jusqu'a  Tembouchure  du  Mississipi," 
New  York,  1859  {Shea's  Cramoisy  Press).  The  "Relation  de  la 
Mississipi  en  1700,  par  MM.  de  Montigny,  De  St.  Cosme  et  Thaumur 
de  la  Source,"  New  York,  1861  {Shea's  Cramoisy  Press),  narrates  the 
experiences  of  a  party  of  the  missionaries  under  the  guidance  of  Tonty. 
An  extract  from  Gravier  is  given  in  French's  Historical  Collections,  sec- 
ond series,  pp.  79-93.  St.  Cosme's  and  Gravier's  narratives  are  also 
included  in  Shea's  collection  of  "  Early  Voyages  up  and  down  the 
Mississippi,"  Albany,  1861,  where  also  may  be  found  Le  Seuer's  journal 
of  a  voyage  from  Louisiana  to  the  Sioux  country  in  1699-1700.  An 
extract  from  Le  Seuer  is  given  in  La  Harpe's  "Journal  Historique," 
Paris,  183 1,  and  in  French's  Historical  Collections,  pt.  3.  A  journal 
by  Penicaut,  who  accompanied  Le  Seuer,  is  included  in  his  "Annals 
of  Louisiana,  from  1698  to  1722,"  in  French's  Historical  Collections, 
new  series,  pp.  33-162,  New  York,  1869.  The  memoirs  of  D'Iberville's 
expedition  to  the  Mississippi,  in  1699-1700,  contain  descriptions  of  the 
lower  Mississippi  and  throw  light  upon  La  Salle's  movements  in  that 
region.  The  principal  documents  concerning  D'Iberville's  enterprises 
are  printed  in  the  fourth  volume  of  Margry.  A  brief  report  by 
D'Iberville  of  his  voyage  on  the  Mississippi  in  1699,  is  printed  in 
French's  Historical  Collection,  second  series,  pp.  19-31.  An  anonymous 
narrative  entitled,  "  Historical  Journal ;  or.  Narrative  of  the  Expedi- 
tion under  D'Iberville,  to  explore  the  Colbert  (Mississippi)  River, 
1698-99,"  is  published  in  French's  Historical  Collection,  second  series, 
pp.  29-119.  Both  of  these  papers  are  included  in  Margry*s  collection, 
volume  iv.  Sauvole  was  a  member  of  D'Iberville's  company;  see 
his  "Journal  Historique"  in  French's  Historical  Collections,  pt.  3, 
pp.  223-240. 

Father  Marest's  letter  on  his  mission  at  the  Illinois,  dated  1712, 
published  in  the  "  Lettres  edifiantes,"  vol.  ii.,  and  reprinted  in  Kip's 
"Early  Jesuit  Missions,"  pp.  191-227,  New  York,  1846,  describes  the 
scenes  of  his  labors. 

In  1721,  Charlevoix,  the  historian,  made  a  journey  from  Canada 
across  the  lakes  to  the  Illinois,  and  thence  down  the  Mississippi  to  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico.  He  was  requested  by  the  King  of  France,  to  write 
an  account  of  his  travels.  The  descriptions  of  the  country  published  in 
vol.  iii.  of  his  "  Histoire  et  Description  generale  de  la  Nouvelle  France," 
Paris,  1744,  afford  perhaps  the  best  views  of  the  primitive  West  which 
we  have. 

The  English  editions  of  his  travels  are  entitled  "Journal  of  a 
Voyage  to  North  America,"  London,  1761,  and  "  Letters  to  the  Duchess 
of  Lesdiguieres,"  London,  1763.     See  also  French's  Historical  Collec- 


234  •   Discovery  of  the  Mississippi, 

tion,  pt.  3,  pp.  1 19-196,  where  his  journal  is  reprinted  from  the  English 
editions. 

On  reaching  the  subject  of  Maps,  we  find  that  Harrisse's  Notes  sur- 
la  Nouvelle  France  contains  a  section  upon  the  "  Cartographic  de  la 
Nouvelle  France,  depuis  la  decouverte  jusqu'en  1700,"  which  affords 
an  extensive  list  of  published  and  inedited  maps. 

Parkman  gives  a  descriptive  account  of  "Early  unpublished  maps 
of  the  Mississippi  and  the  great  lakes,"  in  the  appendix  to  his  "Dis- 
covery of  the  Great  West."  Thomassy's  Geol.  pr.  de  la  Louisiane,"  has 
an  appendix  upon  the  "Cartographic  de  la  ancienne  Louisiane,  1544- 
1858."  Baldwin's  "Early  maps  of  Ohio  and  the  West,"  Cleveland, 
1875,  and  Feet's  article,  "  The  discovery  of  the  Ohio,  Early  maps,"  in 
Amer.  Antiquarian,  vol.  i.,  pp.  21-35,  Cleveland,  1878,  are  useful  studies 
of  some  early  maps  in  the  possession  of  Western  historical  societies. 
Hurlbut's  "Chicago  Antiquities,"  Chicago,  188 1,  contains  a  chapter 
upon  the  first  maps  representing  that  place. 

The  following  printed  works  contain  some  of  the  more  important 
edited  maps,  bearing  date  in  the  original  previous  to  1700:  Champlain's 
"Voyages,"  Paris,  1632,  is  accompanied  by  a  map  upon  which  Lake 
Superior  is  shown,  and  a  "  grande  riviere  qui  vient  du  midy "  is  repre- 
sented as  flowing  into  the  lake  from  the  south.  This  map,  which  is 
reproduced  in  the  later  editions  of  Champlain,  is  of  little  value  in  a 
geographical  sense  for  the  western  country.  A  map  of  "  Nouvelle 
France,"  showing  the  great  lakes,  is  in  Sanson  d' Abbeville's  "L'Amer- 
ique  en  plusieurs  cartes,"  Paris,  1656.  Du  Creux's  "  Historia  Cana- 
densis," Parisiis,  1664,  contains  a  map  dated  1660,  which  shows  the 
outlines  of  the  great  lakes.  Bressani's  "Relation  abregee  de  quelques 
missions  dans  la  Nouvelle  France,"  Montreal,  1852,  contains  a  repro- 
duction. Dollier  and  Gallinee's  map  of  1670,  showing  their  course 
in  travelling  to  Ste.  Marie,  is  reproduced  in  Faillon's  Historic  de  la 
col.  fr.,  vol.  iii.,  p.  305  (see  Parkman's  La  Salle,  p.  449,  for  descrip- 
tion) ;  Claude  Dablon's  "  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France,  1670-1671," 
Paris,  1672,  contains  a  map  made  about  1670  (see  Parkman,  p.  450)  ;  a 
reproduction  is  published  in  Foster  and  Whitney's  "Report  on  the 
Geology  of  Lake  Superior,"  Washington,  1850;  Marquette's  map  of 
1674  accompanies  the  various  editions  of  his  narrative.  The  map  in 
Thevenot's  "  Recueil  "  is  by  Liebaux,  and  not  by  Marquette.  Gravier's 
"Etude  sur  une  carte  inconnue"  contains  a  facsimile  of  a  map  by 
Joliet,  probably  in  1674.  This  map  is  the  first  published  map  showing 
the  great  lakes  in  connection  with  the  Mississippi. 

Shea's  edition  of  Dablon's  "Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France,  1673  a 
1679,"  New  York,  i860,  has  a  reproduction  of  a  map  made  by  the 
Jesuits  in  1673,  showing  the  missions  upon  Lake  Michigan.  Henne- 
pin's "Description  de  la  Louisiane,"  Paris,  1683,  contains  a  map  made 
upon  data  by  Hennepin.     The  later  editions  of  this  work  are  also 


Discovery  of  the  Mississippi.  235 

accompanied  by  a  map.  Parkman  gives  a  reproduction  of  the  portion 
of  Franqulin's  famous  map,  which  shows  La  Salle's  colony  on  the 
Illinois,  and  that  portion  showing  the  lower  part  of  the  Mississippi 
is  reproduced  in  Thomassy's  "  Geologie  de  la  Louisiane."  A  map  made 
by  Minet,  the  engineer  of  La  Salle's  last  expedition,  which  gives  two 
separate  views  of  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  is  given  in  a  reduced 
size  in  Gravier's  "La  Salle,"  and  in  Thomassy's  "Geologie  de  la 
Louisiane."  Le  Clercq's  "  Premier  etablissement  de  la  foy,"  Paris,  1691 ; 
Hennepin's  "  Nouvelle  decouverte,"  and  "  Nouveau  Voyage ;"  La  Hon- 
tan's  "  Nouveaux  Voyages  dans  I'Amerique,"  La  Haye,  1703 ;  Coxe's 
"  Description  of  Carolana,"  London,  1742,  and  Charlevoix's  "  Histoire 
de  la  Nouvelle  France,"  Paris,  1744,  are  accompanied  by  maps  made 
nearly  contemporaneously  with  the  publication  of  the  works  in  ques- 
tion. A  facsimile  De  Lisle's  map  of  1700,  which  indicates  the  course 
of  the  early  explorers,  is  in  Gravier's  "  La  Salle "  and  in  French's 
Collections,  pt.  2.  A  map  by  Joutel,  dated  1713,  accompanies  the 
printed  editions  of  his  journal.  Margry's  "  Decouvertes  et  etablisse- 
ments  des  Frangais,"  when  completed,  will  include  a  volume  devoted 
to  maps  now  inedited.  The  third  volume  of  this  collection  contains  an 
outline  sketch,  representing  La  Salle's  discoveries.  A  modern  map, 
representing  countries  traversed  by  Marquette,  Hennepin,  and  La  Salle, 
is  given  in  Parkman's  "  La  Salle." 

We  next  give  a  list  of  publications  which  treat  of  the  explorations 
of  the  Mississippi  valley,  arranged  in  chronological  order.  Works  which 
have  been  cited  under  different  headings  of  this  article  are,  in  most 
cases,  not  included  in  this  enumeration. 

La  Hontan,  "  Nouveaux  voyages  dans  I'Amerique  Septentrionale," 
Paris,  1703.  This  work  passed  through  several  editions.  Bacqueville 
de  la  Potherie,  "Histoire  de  I'Amerique  Septentrionale,"  Paris,  1722. 
Editions  were  also  published  in  1723  and  1753.  Has  some  account  *of 
La  Salle's  travels  in  1682.  Barcia,  "  Ensayo  cronologico  para  la  His- 
toria  General  de  Florida,"  Madrid,  1723.  The  author  relied  upon  the 
memoirs  of  Marquette,  Joutel,  and  Tonty  for  the  portion  of  his  work 
relating  to  the  French  explorations.  Lafitau,  "  Moeurs  des  Sanvages 
Ameriquains,"  Paris,  1724.  Coxe,  "  Description  of  the  English  province 
of  Carolana,  by  the  Spaniards  called  Florida ;  by  the  French,  La  Louis- 
iane," London,  1742.  The  author  disparages  the  French  discoveries, 
and  urges  the  English  right  to  the  country.  Dumont,  "  Memoire  sur 
la  Louisiane,  contenant  ce  qui  y  est  arrive  de  plus  remarquable  depuis 
1687  jusqu'a  present,"  Paris,  1753,  2  vols.  Bellin,  "Remarques  sur 
la  carte  de  I'Amerique  Septentrionale,  comprise  entre  le  28e  et  le  72e 
degre  de  latitude,"  Paris,  1755,  gives  some  account  of  La  Salle's 
establishments.  Le  Page  du  Pratz,  "Histoire  de  la  Louisiane,"  Paris, 
1758,  3  vols.;  English  translations  were  published  in  1763  and  1774. 
Gayarr6  "Essai  historique  sur  la  Louisiane,"  Nouvelle  Orleans,  1830, 


236  Discovery  of  the  Mississippi. 

2  vols. ;  La  Harpe,  "  Journal  historique  de  retablissement  des  Frangais 
a  la  Louisiane,"  Paris,  183 1.  This  work  is  reproduced  in  French's  His- 
torical Collections,  vol.  iii.  Conover,  "  Oration  on  the  History  of  the 
First  Discovery  and  Settlement  of  the  New  World,  with  especial  refer- 
ence to  the  Mississippi  Valley,"  Cincinnati,  1835.  Perkins,  "  Early 
French  Travellers  in  the  West,"  in  North  American  Review,  vol.  xlviii., 
pp.  63-108.  A  review  of  Spark's  "  La  Salle  "  and  "  Marquette."  Colt, 
"  The  Devil's  Hole,  with  an  account  of  a  visit  made  to  it  by  La  Salle," 
Lockport,  N.  Y.,  44  pp.,  the  third  edition  appeared  in  185 1.  Gayarre, 
"Histoire  de  la  Louisiane,"  Nouvelle  Orleans,  1846-47.  Guerin,  "Les 
navigateurs  Franqais,"  Paris,  1846.  Bradford,  "  Notes  on  the  North- 
west," New  York,  1846.  Kip,  "  Early  Jesuit  Missions  in  North  Amer- 
ica," New  York,  1846,  contains  letters  by  missionaries  giving  descrip- 
tions of  the  newly  discovered  country.  Monette,  "  History  of  the  Dis- 
covery and  Settlement  of  the  Mississippi,"  New  York,  1846.  Gayarre, 
"  Romance  of  the  History  of  Louisiana,"  New  York,  1848.  Foster  and 
Whitney,  "  Report  on  the  Geology  and  Topography  of  a  Portion  of  the 
Lake  Superior  Land  District,"  Washington,  1850-51,  2  vols.,  contains 
an  account  of  the  first  Jesuit  missions  on  Lake  Superior.  Gayarre, 
"Louisiana:  its  Colonial  History,"  New  York,  1851,  and  "Louisiana 
and  its  History  as  a  French  Colony,"  New  York,  1852.  Hart,  "  History 
of  the  Discovery  of  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi,"  St.  Louis,  1852; 
"  History  of  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi,"  New  York,  1853.  Gayarre, 
"  History  of  Louisiana,"  New  York,  1854.  W.  R.  Smith,  "  History  of 
Wisconsin,"  Madison,  1854;  only  volumes  one  and  three  were  pub- 
lished of  this  valuable  work;  volume  three  contains  translations  of 
the  Jesuit  relations,  which  describe  the  operations  of  the  Jesuits  in 
Wisconsin  territory.  Shea,  "  History  of  the  Catholic  Missions  among 
the  Indian  Tribes  of  the  United  States,  1529-1854,"  New  York,  1855. 
E.  D.  Neill,  "  Materials  for  the  future  History  of  Minnesota,"  St.  Paul, 
1856,  also  in  the  "Annals  of  Minnesota,"  1856,  and  reprinted  in  Minne- 
sota Historical  Society  Collection,  vol.  i.  Law,  "Jesuit  Missions  in  the 
Northwest,"  in  the  Wisconsin  Historical  Society  Collections,  vol.  iii., 
pp.  89-1 1 1,  118-121,  Madison,  1857.  The  author  of  this  article  makes 
the  erroneous  statement  that  missionaries  had  reached  the  Mississippi 
several  years  before  Marquette's  visit.  Shea  disproves  this  in  an 
article  entitled  "Justice  to  Marquette,"  in  pp.  111-117  of  the  same 
volume  of  the  Wisconsin  collections.  Shea,  "  Indian  Tribes  of  Wis- 
consin," in  the  Wisconsin  Historical  Society  Collections,  vol.  iii., 
pp.  125-128.  Ferland,  "  Cours  d'Histoire  du  Canada,  1534-1759,"  Que- 
bec, 1859.  This  author  is  highly  esteemed  as  an  historical  writer.  Shea, 
"  Early  Voyages  Up  and  Down  the  Mississippi,"  Albany,  1861.  Ferland, 
*■  Notes  sur  les  registres  de  Notre  Dame  de  Quebec,"  Quebec,  1863. 
Neill,  "  Early  French  Forts  and  Footprints  in  the  Valley  of  the  Upper 
Mississippi,"  in  Minnesota  Historical  Society  Collections,  1864,  pp.  9-20. 


Discovery  of  the  Mississippi.  237 

Faillon,  "  Histoire  de  la  Colonic  franqaise  en  Canada "  Villemarie 
[Montreal],  1865,  3  vols.;  this  work  comes  down  only  to  1671,  but 
is  of  value  for  period  covered. 

French,  "  Biographical  Sketch  of  La  Salle,"  in  Historical  Collec- 
tions of  Louisiana,  new  series,  pp.  4-7,  New  York,  1869.  Gallaud, 
**  Mississippi :  a  Brief  History  of  its  Discovery,"  in  "Annals  of  Iowa," 
vol.  vii.,  pp.  194-201,  Davenport,  1869.  Van  Fleet,  "  Old  and  New 
Mackinac;  with  copious  extracts  from  Marquette,  Hennepin,  La  Hon- 
tan,  and  others,"  Ann  Arbor,  1870;  Brodhead,  "  History  of  New  York," 
New  York,  187 1 ;  the  author  gives  briefly  the  latest  knowledge  upon  the 
first  explorations.  The  Revue  Maritime  et  Coloniale,  Paris,  1872,  con- 
tains controversial  articles  by  Harrisse  and  Margry,  both  with  the 
title  "  Histoire  critique  de  la  decouverte  du  Mississippi."  Harrisse, 
"  Notes  pour  servir  a  I'Histoire  [etc.]  de  la  Nouvelle  France,  1545-72," 
Paris,  1872.  In  addition  to  the  bibliographical  matter  in  this  work 
there  is  a  brief  historical  summary  of  the  early  explorations.  Neill, 
*'  French  Voyageurs  to  Minnesota,"  in  the  Annals  of  Minnesota,  1850, 
pp.  10-28,  reprinted  in  Minnesota  Historical  Society  Collections,  vol.  i., 
pp.  17-36.  Durrie,  "  Early  Outposts  of  Wisconsin,"  Madison,  1873, 
contains  notices  of  the  visits  of  Perrot,  Alloiiez,  Marquette,  and  others. 
"  Laval  universite,  Quebec,  200e  anniversaire  de  la  decouverte  du  Miss- 
issipi  par  Joliet  et  le  P.  Marquette,  Soiree  litteraire  et  musicale,  17 
Juin,  1873,"  Quebec,  1873,  54  PP-»  contains  a  discourse  by  the  Abbe 
Verreau.  Parry,  "  Historical  Address  on  the  Early  Exploration  of  the 
Mississippi  Valley,"  Davenport,  Iowa,  1873,  36  pp.  Salter,  "Address 
commemorative  of  the  200th  Anniversary  of  the  Discovery  of  Iowa 
by  Marquette  and  Joliet,"  in  the  "Annals  of  Iowa,"  vol.  ii.,  pp.  50i-5i5- 
Shea,  "Address  on  Discovery  of  the  Mississippi,  read  on  the  bi-cen- 
tennial  of  said  Discovery,  June  17,  1873,"  published  in  Wisconsin  His- 
torical Society  Collections,  vol.  vii.,  pp.  111-122.  Marshall,  "The  First 
Visit  of  La  Salle  to  the  Senecas  in  1669,"  Buffalo,  1874,  45  pp.  Bald- 
win, "  Early  maps  of  Ohio  and  the  West,"  Cleveland,  1875,  25  pp. ; 
this  forms  one  of  the  Western  Reserve  Historical  Society  tracts.  French, 
"  Biographical  Sketch  of  L.  Joliet,"  in  his  Historical  Collections,  second 
series,  pp.  139,  140. 

"  Memoir  sent  by  the  King  to  M.  Denonville,  explanatory  of  the 
French  Possessions  in  North  America,"  in  French's  Historical  Col- 
lections, second  series,  pp.  123-142.  This  document  briefly  recapitu- 
lates the  French  discoveries.  Baldwin,  "  Margry  Papers,  vol.  ii.,"  in 
Western  Reserve  Historical  Society  tracts.  United  States  Annual 
Report  of  the  Chief  of  Engineers,  Washington,  1876.  Volume  iii.  of 
this  report  contains  an  extract  from  Marquette's  journal,  and  a  re- 
duced reproduction  of  his  map.  Gravier,  "  La  route  du  Mississipi,"  in 
the  compte-rendu  of  the  second  session  of  the  Congres  des  Ameri- 


238  Discovery  of  the  Mississippi. 

canistes,  1877,  vol.  i.,  pp.  237-312.  Whittlesey,  "Discovery  of  the 
Ohio  River  by  La  Salle,"  1669-70,  one  of  the  Western  Reserve  His- 
torical Society  tracts. 

Hurlbut,  "  Father  Marquette  at  Mackinaw  and  Chicago,"  Chicago, 
1878.  Jacker,  "  La  Salle  and  the  Jesuits,"  in  American  Catholic  Quar- 
terly Review,  vol.  iii.,  pp.  404-426,  Philadelphia,  1878.  Peet,  "Discov- 
ery of  the  Ohio,"  in  American  Antiquarian,  vol.  i.,  pp.  21-35.  Shea, 
"Address  before  the  Missouri  Historical  Society  at  the  celebration  of 
the  250th  anniversary  of  Marquette's  Voyage,  July  20,  1878;  same. 
'^Romance  and  Reality  of  the  Death  of  Marquette,  and  the  recent 
Discovery  of  his  Remains,"  in  Catholic  World,  vol.  ii.,  pp.  267-281. 

C.  C.  Baldwin,  "Indian  Migration  in  Ohio,"  Western  Reserve  His- 
torical Society  tract  No.  47;  also  in  American  Antiquarian,  April,  1879. 
M.  F.  Force,  "  Some  Early  Notices  of  the  Indians  of  Ohio,"  Cincin- 
nati, 1879.  Margry,  "  Was  La  Salle  the  Discoverer  of  the  Mississippi," 
in  American  Antiquarian,  vol.  ii.,  pp.  2o6r-209,  Chicago,  1879-81.  O.  H. 
Marshall,  "  Building  and  Voyage  of  the  Griffon  in  1679,"  Buffalo,  1879. 
Blanchard,  "  Discovery  and  Conquests  of  the  Northwest,"  Chicago, 
1880;  gives  a  brief  account  of  Joliet's  and  La  Salle's  voyages. 

Brucker,  "J.  Marquette  et  la  decouverte  de  la  vallee  du  Mississipi," 
Lyon,  1880.  Thoulet  "  Cavelier  de  La  Salle  et  la  decouverte  du  Miss- 
issipi, d'apres  I'ouvrage  de  M.  Margry,"  in  Bulletin  de  la  Societe  de 
la  Geographic,  6e  serie,  tome  xx.,  pp.  435-454,  534-556,  Paris,  1880. 
Hurlbut's  "  Chicago  Antiquities,"  Chicago,  1881,  contains  translations 
from  the  journals  of  Marquette,  Hennepin,  La  Salle,  and  of  other 
travellers,  which  relate  the  incidents  of  visits  made  to  the  site  of  the 
present  city.  Neill,  "  Minnesota  Explorers  and  Pioneers  from  1659 
to  1858,"  Minneapolis,  1881.  J.  Fiske,  "Romance  of  the  Spanish  and 
French  Explorers,"  in  Harper's  Magazine,  February,  1882.  An  article 
by  the  editor  in  The  Magazine  of  American  History,  March,  1882. 
Gravier's  "  Sketch  of  La  Salle,"  in  same  magazine.  May,  1882.  Hurl- 
but,  "  Review  of  Gravier's  Article,"  in  same  for  September,  1882. 
Butler,  "  First  French  Foot-prints  beyond  the  Lakes  "  [Madison,  1882], 
^closes  the  list  of  the  writings  up  to  the  present  time.  It  has  not  been 
thought  necessary  to  include  general  histories  of  the  United  States, 
such  as  Bancroft's  and  Hildreth's,  and  others. 

Bibliography. —  The  principal  bibliographical  works  used  in  the  com- 
pilation of  this  note  are  Eoimare's  "  Notes  bibliographiques  et  rai- 
sonn6s  sur  les  principaux  ouvrages  publics  sur  la  Floride  et  I'ancienne 
Louisiane"  [Paris,  1855];  Faribault's  "Catalogue  d'ouvrages  sur  I'his- 
toire  de  I'Amerique,"  Quebec,  1837;  "Field's  Essay  toward  "an  Indian 
Bibliography,"  New  York,  1875,  and  Harrisse's  "  Notes  pour  servir  i 
r  historic,  la  bibliographic  [etc.]  de  la  Nouvelle  France,"  Paris,  1872. 


Discovery  of  the  Mississippi,  239 

O'Callaghan's  "Jesuit  Relations  of  Discoveries  in  Canada,  1632-1672," 
New  York,  1847,  has  been  used  for  the  titles  of  the  Jesuit  reports. 

The  references  in  Parkman's  "  La  Salle "  have  indicated  many  au- 
thorities, and  the  author's  characterizations  have  been  helpful.  Gravier*s 
"La  Salle,"  Paris,  1871,  contains  a  list  of  eighty-nine  articles  upon 
La  Salle.  The  compiler  of  this  article  was  unable  to  examine  a  copy 
until  after  completion  of  the  list.  The  essential  works  in  it  were 
found  to  have  been  noted.  Sabin's  "  Bibliography  "  is  indispensable  in 
verifying  titles.  APPLETON  P.  C.  GRIFFIN 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

A  fine  river 79 

Accancea  Indians 176,  179,  182 

Household  Stuff 179 

Shape  . 179 

Particular  Ceremonies 182 

Country,  Product  of 178 

Account  of  Country *jy 

given  by  a  native 128 

Ahehoen  Indians 126 

Ahonerhopiheim  Indians  126 

Aigron,   Sieur   55 

Algonquin  Indians 3,  38 

Alleghany,  Valley  of  the 4 

Alleghanies 23 

Alligator  eaten 62 

Allouez,  Father   13,  22,  197 

America 2 

North 6 

American  Savages 3^ 

Anastasius,  Father 48,  62,  109,  112,  116,  134,  135, 

136,  137,  151,  154,  155,  156,  160,  161,  167,  168,  189, 

190,  197,  199,  201,  203 

Apalache,  Bay  of ^7,  68 

Arhan  Indians 126 

Arkansas  Country 203 

Indians 202 

River   3,  22,  202 

Arrival  at  Quebec   201 

Art  to  kill  goats  and  wild  fowl 164 

Assony  Indians  130,  i39»  162,  163,  167 

16  [241] 


242  Index, 

PAGE. 

Author  meets  another  Frenchman  among  Indians 149 

and  others  resolve  to  part  from  murderers 152 

saved  by  a  friend 136 

sent  to  the  Cenis  for  provisions 138 

Ayona  Indians 127 

Barbier,  Sieur 79,  84,  108,  109,  114,  129 

Command  of  Settlement  given  to 116 

Marries 112 

Barbier's  wife  gives  birth  to  child 115 

Beaujeu,  Commander  26,  54,  55»  5^,  5^,  59»  ^i, 

63,  64,  66,  67,  74,  75,  76,  77,  78,  79,  83,  86 

leaves  La  Salle 89 

Begon,   Intendant    60,  61 

Bihoral,   Sieur   1 14,  130 

Boat  of  Bark  lost. 98 

Bocrettes  Indians   127 

Boisrondet,  Sieur  189,  190,  197 

Buskins  of  rawhides  instead  of  shoes 120 

Cacahonanous  Indians 190 

Caddoes  Indians 202 

Cadodaquio  Village 169 

Cahamihona  Village   169,  170 

Cahoynohoua  Indians    173,,  174 

California,  Gulf  of 3,  4 

Calumet,  The 172,  173,  179 

Canada i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  8,  11,  13,  18,  21,  23,  24, 

26,  34,  38,  41,  42,  44,  45,  48,  49,  108,  115,  151,  177, 

190,   196,  202 

Natives  of,  Brutal   37 

Canohatino  Indians 127 

Cannohantimo  Indians 141,  157 

Cape  Corrientes 63 

St.  Anthony 61,  63,  64,  65 

St.  Nicholas 59 

Samana 59 

Cappas  Indians 161,  164,  166,  169,  174,  182 


Index,  243 

PAGE. 

Capucians 170 

Carpenter  lost  96 

Cascasquina  Peroneria  Indians 190 

Caveliers,  The 2 

Cavelier  Family 29 

Cavelier,  Jean 2 

Henri 2,  27 

Robert  (See  La  Salle) 2 

Abbe 26,  29,  48,  49,  62,  90,  95,  97,  98,  107, 

109,  116,  123,  136,  137,  151,  152,  154,  156,  161,  164, 
166,  167,  168,  172,  177,  179,  180,  183,  189,  190, 

196,  197,  199,  200,  201,  202 

Abbe  and  his  company  part  from  others 160 

Abbe  and  others  carried  on  backs  of  Indians;  Cere- 
monies at  their  reception ;  Speeches  made  to  them ; 

Their  entertainment 165,  166 

set  out  and  return  again 191 

Cayman  Island 62 

Cenis  Indians 48,  113,  121,  123,  127,  128,  130, 

139,  152,  153,  156,  162,  168,  169,  179 

Account  of  Battle  fought  by 157 

Country  of 114 

Described 138 

Meet  French  in  Solemn  Manner 140 

River 137 

Ceremony  of  Pipe    171,  179 

Performed  to  M.  Cavelier 179 

of  Sailors  Called  "Ducking" 57 

Chahouanous  Indians 196 

Champlain i,  22 

Chanzes  Indians 127 

Charleroix 30 

Charpantier,  Sieur 176 

Chautauqua  Lake 4 

Chebonany 200 

Chedeville,  M 54,  62,  90,  lor,  109,  no,  in,  112,  114 


244  Index. 

PAGE. 

Chef  de  Bois,  Port  of 59 

Chicago 21,  196,  197,  198 

Chickasaw  Indians 203 

Choumans  Indians 128,   129 

Choumenes  Indians 126 

Clerk,  Sieur 1 14 

Colbert,  French  Minister  of  State 8 

River  ,   49,  177,  181,  200 

Columbus,  Christopher 33 

Commanders  at  variance 74 

Conspiracy  discovered 93 

revealed   94 

Controversy  about  privilege  of  first  born 115 

Copal  tree 138 

Couture,  Sieur 176,  179,  180,  i8r,  182,  183 

Courcelle,  Governor 3,     43 

Coyabegux  Indians 126 

Crevecoeur,  Fort 17,  18,  19,     20 

Cross  by  a  river  and  a  French  built  house 176 

Crozat 211,  214,  215,  216,  217,  218,  219 

to  plant  colonies  in  Louisiana 205 

letters  patent  to 212 

Cuba 61,  62,  63,  209 

Currents 67 

Dablon,  Father 13,     22 

Dainmaville 54,     88 

Dautray 22 

d'  Aire,  Chevalier 66,  6y,  74,  y6,  yj,  80,    88 

d'  Eure  River 125 

D'Iberville  . 203 

Expedition 205 

De  Baugis 20 

de  Belle  Fontaine 189 

de  Cussy,  Governor 59,  60,     6r 

de  Launay,  Sieur 176 

de  Leon,  Alonzo 203 


Index.  245 

PAGE. 

de  la  Sablonniere 81,  109,  1 12 

De  Lima 22 

de  Malre,  Sieur 132,  133,  161 

drowned 166 

funeral 167 

De  Nonville,  Marquis 195,  196,  197,  200,  20i 

de  Pomeuf ,  M 200 

De  Soto 22 

de  Villeperdry,  Sieur 93,     95 

Debates  between  commanders 88 

Departure  from  Rochel 54 

Desloges 86 

killed 87 

des  Puans  Lake 200 

Detroit  River 5 

Straits  of 12 

Devault,    Sieur    94 

Difference  between  commanders 56 

Discontent  occasioned  by  Moranget 133 

Douay,  Father 26,  29,  136 

account  of  murder 134 

Duchesneau,  Intendant 19 

du  Hamel 76,  86,    87 

Duhaut 99,  102,  103,  107,  108,  114,  115,  116, 

132,  133.  I35»  152 

endeavors  to  occasion  a  mutiny 112 

mutiny  revealed 113 

returns  from  La  Salle 100 

the  murderer  usurps  command 137 

killed '. 154 

Duromtage 195 

Du  Shut 195 

Dutch  and  English  at  Albany 12 

East  Indies   37 

Encounter  with  natives in 

Enepiahe  Indians 126 


246  Index. 

PAGE. 

English 6 

Entertainment  given  by  the  Indians. 183 

Erie,  Lake 4,  12,  18 

Esperitu  Bay 97 

Fercoutcha  Indians 127 

Figure  of  a  pretended  monster 186 

Fine  meadows 164 

Finisterre  Cape 55 

First  landing 67 

First  fort  abandoned 94 

Fish  taken  in  plenty 91 

Fiske,  John i 

Flying  fish 56 

Fort  built 88 

Lewis 197,  200 

among  the  Illinois 188 

arrival  at 188 

reception 189 

description  of  country. . 191 

lime  and  clay,  mines,  product,  etc 192 

St.  Lewis  of  Illinois 203 

Louis  in  Texas 203 

France i,  2,  5,  6 

King  of 6 

French  habitation,  travellers  come  to  the 176 

men,  who  they  were I77 

house  among  the  Acconceas  described 178 

entertained  by  natives I47 

turned  savage 149 

man  among  Indians 141 

men  go  to  the  wars  with  natives 156 

stay  w!ith   Indians 161 

River 200 

Frontenac,  Count 5,  6,  8,  12,  19,  24,  43 

Fort 8,  II,  12,  18,  19,  24,  26,  42 

Cabaret,  Sieur 74 


Index.  24J 

PAd. 

Galveston  Bay 103 

Game,  Plenty  of 171 

Garay 22 

Gayen;  hurt   86,    87 

Goats  and  bullocks 72 

Good  entertainment   163 

Green  Bay  12,  13,    21 

Griffin,  The 12,  13,  14,     i8' 

Grollet, 149,  150 

Guanabo  Island  59 

Guinea 206 

Habitation  of  St.  Lewis 103,  151,  153 

description  of  country  at 103 

the  land    103 

living  creatures :  Fish,  tortoises,  venomous  creatures, 

rattle-snakes   104 

Alligators,  trees,  dangerous  fruit. 105 

vines,  plants 106 

of  St.  Lewis.     Who  were  left  there  when  La  Salle 

departed 116 

Hard  labor 95 

Havana 206,  209,  210,  211 

Hebahano  Indian  Village 121 

Heins 116,  132,  133,  134,  138,  155,  156,  161 

kills  Duhaut  154 

gives  others  what  he  pleases  and  seizes  rest  of  effects.  160 

Hennepin i,  11,  15,  16,  18,  44,  47,  48,  49,  203,  204 

Hispaniola  Island 58,  59,  61,    63 

Holy  Ghost,  Bay  of 50,  68,    69 

Horse  sold  for  an  ax 148 

Houabache  River 184 

How  the  travellers  lived 195 

Hudson's  Bay  205 

Hunter  dies  with  cold 100 

Hurie,  (Sieur) 94,  99,  11 1,  113 

Hurons 38,  199,  200 


248  Index, 

PAGE. 

Huron,  Lake   5,  12 

Illinois  allies 24 

country 20,  196 

Indians 13,  14,  21,  38,  49,  114,  115,  177, 

183,  188,  196 

adultery 195 

boasting 193 

chiefs  .   16 

children 193 

care  of  dead 193 

presents  to  195 

game  of  stick 195 

great  town  of 15 

manners  and  customs 193 

marriages 195 

meeting  with   187 

outbreak 16 

thieving 193 

women  do  all  labor 193 

lake  of  the 200 

river 5,  15,  18,  19,  20,  23,  24,  44,  187,  214 

headwaters   of 22 

State  of 17 

Indescretion  of  an  ensign 86 

Indian,  bad  ways 163 

beds 142 

bewailing  memory  of  men  killed 156 

ceremonies    145 

ceremony  to  the  dead 167 

of  dressing  a  bullock. 185 

of  rejoicing   159 

come  to  fort 92 

cruel  trophies  of 158 

dies  of  eating  raw  suet 187 

doleful  entertainment 168 

entertainment 141 


Index,  249 

Indian  —  Continued.  pace. 

expect  presents 174 

humanity  of  the 167 

huts  and  families  in  them 142 

inhumanity 158 

maid  brought  to  author 150 

manners 144 

manner  of  building 142 

their  moveables 142 

men 170 

barbarity  of  towards  a  woman  taken 157 

nations 167 

peculiar  custom 169 

rats 124 

religion 145 

tillage 142 

tilling,  instrument  for 143 

tobacco 146 

take  revenge 87 

women 143 

barbarity  of  158 

their   behavior 144 

disfigure  themselves I43 

do  all  the  work I44>  ^93 

habits 144 

ornaments  of 169 

sow 143 

strong 3^ 

rejoice  at  victory I57 

with  axes i75 

village   abandoned 120 

inhabited 123 

Irondequoit  (Seneca  village) 4 

Iroquois 3,  8,  12,  13,  16,  20,  21,  23,  38,  49, 

185,  188,  190,  198,  199 

invasion 16 

war  with I95 


250  Index. 

PAGE. 

Janiquo  Indians 168 

Jesuits 2,  5,  7,  12,  16,  22,  199,  200 

mission  among  Hurons  re-established  by  Marquette. .     19 

Jogues    22 

Joliet I,  4,  5»    22 

Joutel,  Henri 26,  27,  28,  29,  30,  48,  50,    89 

believes  Mississippi  passed 68 

party 108 

Journey  prosequted 174 

continued 181 

Joly  (The) 26,  54,  58,  64,  66,  67,  68,  74,  75,  79,  80,  89 

boltsprit  of  lost 55 

Kabayes  Indians 126 

Kannehonau  Indians 126 

Kavagan   Indians 126 

Keremen  Indians 126 

Ketch  taken  by  the  Spaniards 61 

Kiahoba  Indians 126 

Kiasses  Indians 127 

Kind  Indians 177 

reception 171 

Korenkake  Indians    126 

Korkone   Indians 126 

Kouans  Indians 126 

r  Aimable  (ship) 61,  62,  65,  79,  80,  81,  85,  88,    89 

cast  astray 83 

1  Archeveque 116,  133,  134,  136,  153,  155,  161 

La  Barre,  Governor 24,  25,    26 

La  Belle  (ship) 65,  66,  67,  69,  70,  78,  79,  80,    83 

85,  86,  94,  96,  97,  98,  loi,  115 

lost 108 

how  lost 1 10 

what  was  saved  from 109 

La  Chine  (China) 2,  3,  201 

Le  Clerc,  Father 26,  203 

La  Forest  (Surgeon)   10,  19,  20,  26,  203 


Index.  251 

PACK. 

La  Hontan's  forged  discourse  with  a  savage,  wherein  he 

renders  himself  rediculous 36 

La  Motte  de  Sussiere 10,  11 

La  Maligne  River 102,  124,  126,  147 

la  Sabloniere  River 122 

La  Salle i,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  9, 11,  12, 13,  14,  15,  16, 

19,  21,  22,  23,  24,  26,  27,  28,  29,  30, 

41,  44,  47,  48,  49,  50,  51,  53,  55,  5^, 
57,  58,  60,  61,  62,  63,  64,  66,  68,  70, 

71,  72,  73,  74,  75,  76,  77,  78,  79,  81, 
82,  83,  84,  85,  86,  87,  88,  92,  94,  96, 
97,  98,  lor,  103,  no,  III,  115,  117, 
118,  121,  122,  123,  124,  127,  128, 

129,  130,  131,  137,  148,  149,  151, 
152,  154,  156,  160,  176,  177,  178, 

179,  180,  187,  188,  190,  197,  201,  202 

account  of 41 

barbarity  towards  body  of 135 

character 42,  135 

conspiracy  to  murder 133 

consult  to  murder 133 

death  of 5,  29 

is  murdered 134 

first  voyage  of  exploration 3 

return  to  France 8 

footman  killed 1 33 

fort  taken  by  Spaniards 204 

goes  to  discover  the  river 90 

returns ;  sets  out  again 90 

goes  out  to  discover 99 

returns 107 

goes  to  seek  conspirators 134 

Indian  killed 132 

made  proprietor  of  Ft.  Frontenac 43 

men 17 

mistake 69 


252  Index. 

La  Salle  —  Continued.  page. 

much  wronged 89 

patent  of  nobility 8 

resolves  on  third  expedition 114 

persons  with  him 116 

the  way  they  traveled 117 

Royal  patent  to  explore  Mississippi  country 10 

reputation  makes  enemies 43 

second  return  visit  to  France 10 

voyage  of  exploration  ( 1678-9) 11 

sets  out  on  another  expedition 108 

discoveries ;  return   113 

seven  men  lost  and  four  desert 1 14 

third  return  visit  to  France 25 

well  received  by  natives 126 

Le  Gros 61 

bitten  by  snake 91 

and  others  die 97 

Liotot 116,  132,  134,  138,  153 

killed 154 

Lisbon 55 

Lost  Frenchmen  heard  of 130 

Louis  XIV 23 

Louisiana 23,  33,  47,  203,  204,  206,  211,  212 

214,  217,  218 

Louisville 4 

Machigamea  Indians 184 

Madera  Island 55,  56 

Magdalen  River 75 

Maghai   Indians 126 

Man  clad  like  Spaniard 139 

March  continued 137 

Mark,  Friar 22 

Marquette 1,3,  19,  22,  186 

Massiot 54 

Matagordu  Bay 89,  97 


Index.  253 

PAGE. 

Maximus,  Father 112 

Membre,  Father 26 

Men  sent  by  land  to  discover 78 

Meracouman  Indians 126 

Mexico 10,  25,  207 

Bay  of 45,  49,  50,  63,  177,  191 

City 208 

Gulf  of 4,  22,  23,  25,  44,  47,  197,  206 

Kingdom  of 42,  139 

North 129 

Miami,  Fort 15 

River 14,  21,     22 

Michilimackinac 12,  13,  14,  18,  19,  20,  190,  196,  199 

Michigan,  Lake 5,  12,  13,  14,     21 

Mines  of  St.  Barbara 42 

Minet,  Sieur 76,    88 

Mississippi  River i,  3,  4,  5,  16,  18,  20,  22,  23,  25, 

27,  33,  42,  43,  45,  49,  5o,  69, 
77,  82,  89,  97,  98,  102,  108, 1 14, 
148,  149,   152,  153,  164,  174,        - 
176,   177,   182,  184,  187,  203,  205 

River,  Banks  of  many  colors 185 

Branches  of 88 

Mississippi  found  at  last 181 

mouth  of 21 

passed 75 

source  of 44,  204 

Indians 16 

Valley 26 

Missouri  River 22,  186,  213 

Mitchell,  Sieur 47 

Montreal 2,  4,  8,  9,  18,  41,  42,  49,  196, 

199,  200,  201 

Moranget 54,  78,  86,  87,  88,  92,  93,  98,  102,  107, 

108,  113,  116,  128,  129,  130,  132,  134,  135,  155 
Discontent  occasioned  by 133 


254  Index. 

PAGE. 

More  mischief  prevented 155 

Murderers  change  their  mind 153 

differ  in  opinion 153 

design  of 152 

resolve  to  return  to  habitation  of  St.  Lewis 151 

return  to  camp 151 

Nahordikhes  Indians 162 

Nations,  Names  126,  146 

Nation,  What  is  meant  here  by  it 146 

Natives  entertained 118 

New  England 21,  151 

New  France 8,  196,  215,  216 

New  Mexico 140 

New  Spain 122 

Niagara  River 11,  12,  13,  18,     19 

Nicolet, I 

Nipicingue  Lake 201 

Odd  Salutation   85 

Ohio  Project  4 

River 3,  4,  5,      22 

Omeaosse  Indians 126 

Onapien  Indians 126 

Outahoutacs  Indians 199 

Ontario  Lake  4,  8,  19,    42 

Onondaga 8 

Orcampion  Indians 127 

Oris  killed   87 

Ory 54 

Otenmarhem  Indians 126 

Paget 56 

Parkman 2,  10,  11,  12,  18,  21,  26,  28,  29,     89 

Palaquechaune  Indians   128 

Panego  Indians   127 

Pehir  Indians    126 

Peihoum  Indians 127 

Peisacho  Indians 127 


Index.  255 

PAGE. 

Peoria  Lake 15 

Persons  that  went 54 

Petao   Indians 127 

Petit  Guave  59,  60,  61,    63 

Petzares   Indians 127 

Pichar  Indians 127 

Pines,  Island  of 62,  63,  64 

Plenty  of  game 171 

Planteroze    (M.) 54,    loi,  no 

Portable  Canoe 125 

Port  de  Paix 59,  60,  61 

Poutouanni  Indians 199 

Pottawatomies 4,  21 

Presents 171 

Primitehouy  Lake   187 

Princess's  River    117,  119 

Provisions  hid  spoilt 132 

Ptolomy 22 

Quebec II,  41,   42,  44 

Quintonan  River 198 

Recollet  Friars 8,  9,  26,  90,  99,  204 

Accidents  concerning 112 

Red  River 202 

Richelieu  (Cardinal) 2 

Rio  Grande  River 23,  202 

River  aux  Boeuf s 103 

of  Bullocks   97 

of  Canoes 132 

Rochelle    26,  202 

return  to  55 

Rocky  Mountains 23 

Rouen 2,  27,  29,  202 

Ruter 149,  150 

Kills  Liotot   154 

Santo  Domingo 25,  56 


256  Index. 

PAGE. 

Salt  found  in  pools 92 

water  spring 186 

Sault  Ste.  Marie 13 

Savages,  A  company  of 80 

come  to  the  boat 70 

carryed   aboard    71 

return  ashore  with  gifts 71 

friendly  behaviour 81 

their  camp   81 

their  entertainment 82 

Second  Landing  73 

settlement 93,  96 

ill  posture  of 95 

Seigneley,  Marquis  de 10,  25 

Senecas 3,  19^ 

Village   (Irondequoit) 4 

Seven  set  out  for  Canada 161 

Shea,  Dr.  John  Gilmary 22 

Ships 54 

Six  men  killed  by  natives loi 

Somberero  Island  58 

South  Sea 42 

Spain 25 

Spaniards 25,  56,  127,  129,  150,  210 

Spanish 6 

Incursions 26 

Vessel  appears 91 

Spichets  Indians 126 

St.  Bernard's  Bay 97 

St.  Barbara,  Mines  of 42 

St.  Cosmo 203 

St.  Jerome  River 213 

St.  Joseph  River 14,  15,  19 

Fort 20 

Bay 89 


Index.  257 

PAGE. 

St.  Lewis  (or  Louis)  Bay 97,  99,  103,  117 

Fort 24,  25,  26,    28 

(of  Texas) 97 

St.  Lewis  River 206,  213 

St.  Laurent,  Marquis  de 60,    61 

St.  Lawrence  River 19,  41,  49,  202 

St.  Marys  Fall 200 

St.  Philip  River   213 

"  Starved  Rock  "  15,  18,     24 

Stores  they  had 98 

Strange  adventure   102 

Sulpitians 2,  3,  4,  5,     26 

Superior,  Lake 4,     12 

Sweet  water  from  a  tree 198 

Talon  (Intendant) 3»  4,  5,  6,  8,    43 

Teao  Indians  127 

Teisseers 138,  160,  161,  188,  201 

Tessalon,  Village  of 200 

Texas 108 

Theauremets  Indians 126 

Thecamenes  Indians 126 

Thibault,  Sieur 54,     99 

Thick  woods   119 

Third  landing 7^ 

Tonti,  Hendri  de 10,  11,  12,  13,  14,  15,  18,  19,  20,  21, 

22,  23,  24,  25,  47,  48,  49,  176, 
177,  188,  190,  196,  197,  202,  203 

comes  to  Fort  Lewis I95 

's  mistake  in  account  of  voyage 64 

Tohaka  Indians 126 

Tohan  Indians "^^7 

Tonningua,  Village 182 

Toriman  officers   181 

Village 181 

Tortuga  Island 59 

Trade  Wind 57 

17 


2SS  Index, 

PAGE. 

Travel  continued 197 

Tsepehoen  Indians  127 

Tsera  Indians  127 

Two  men  killed 115 

West  Indies 210 

Wild  fowl   120 

fruit 186 

swine 63 

Veracruz 206,  207,  209,  211 

Vermilion  Sea 3 

Vespucius,  Americus 23 

Zenobius,  Father 62,  117,  152,  203 


RETURN     CIRCULATION  DEPARTMENT 
TOi— #>     202  Main  Library 


LOAN  PERIOD  1 
HOME  USE 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

ALL  BOOKS  MAY  BE  RECALLED  AFTER  7  DAYS 

1-month  toans  may  be  renewed  by  calling  642-3405 

1-y^ar  loan*  may  he  recharged  by  bringing  the  books  to  the  Circulation  Desk 

Renewals  and  recharges  may  be  made  4  days  prior  to  due  date 

DUE  AS  STAMPED  BELOW 


INTERUBR/.RY  UOAN 


MAR  1  Tm 


UNIV.  OR  GAUFh  berk. 


ncrcru>ft  in  * 


i^i....i'.k.^^,.  I 


1T^ 


'MjUj 


APR  18  1984 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  BERKELEY 
FORM  NO.  DD6,  60m,  1/83  BERKELEY,  CA  94720 


®% 


LD  21-100»t-7,'39(402s) 


*• 

X 

^  h^io3 

3S^ 

J7 

THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

